Researchers led by Gabriel Travis, a University of California (Los Angeles), biochemist, said that scientists previously were unable to explain the chemistry behind the known link between a gene known as Rpe65 and Leber.

“This suggests that replacement of Rpe65 by gene therapy should correct the blindness in these children, as was observed in mice and dogs with Rpe65 mutations,” said Travis.

Trials of the cure in humans may start before the end of next year, under the supervision of Samuel Jacobson, a University of Pennsylvania ophthalmologist. The new findings were published in the journal ‘Cell’.