The Musical Genius, Derek Paravicini, now in his mid twenties, was born premature, at 25 weeks, and weighing just over half a kilogram. As a result of the oxygen therapy required to save his life, Derek lost his sight, and his development was affected too. It later became apparent that he had severe learning difficulties. However, he soon acquired a fascination for music and sound, and, by the age of four, had taught himself to play a large number of pieces on the piano, of some melodic and harmonic complexity (such as ‘Smoke Gets in your Eyes’). Almost inevitably, with no visual models to guide him, his technique was chaotic, and even his elbows would frequently be pressed into service, as he strove to reach intervals beyond the span of his tiny hands!

Watch all of the 5 videos. He’s amazing!

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BRITISH scientists have developed the world’s first stem cell therapy to cure the most common cause of blindness. Surgeons predict it will become a routine, one-hour procedure that will be generally available in six or seven years’ time.

The treatment involves replacing a layer of degenerated cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells. It was pioneered by scientists and surgeons from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital.

This week Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical research company, will announce its financial backing to bring the therapy to patients.

The treatment will tackle age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness. It affects more than 500,000 Britons and the number is forecast to increase significantly as people live longer. The disease involves the loss of eye cells.

Under the new treatment, embryonic stem cells are transformed into replicas of the missing cells. They are then placed on an artificial membrane which is inserted in the back of the retina.

Tom Bremridge, chief executive of the Macular Disease Society, said: “This is a huge step forward for patients. We are extremely pleased that the big guns have become involved, because, once this treatment is validated, it will be made available to a huge volume of patients.”

Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into all types of body tissue. Their use is controversial, however, because it involves the destruction of human embryos.

Laboratory trials completed by the British team have demonstrated that stem cells can prevent blindness in rats with a similar disease to AMD. They have also successfully tested elements of the technology in pigs.

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An Australian woman whose eyes clamp shut for three days at a time, then open up for the next three, has baffled specialists.

Natalie Adler, 21, from Melbourne, has been locked in the extraordinary routine for four years. Doctors believe she may be the only person in the world with the condition.

“My eyes are closed for three days and then open for three days,” Ms Adler said. “Something happens overnight on the third night. I go to bed and I can open my eyes, and then when I wake up the next day I can’t. Nobody knows why.”

Ms Adler has undergone hundreds of tests since her life dramatically changed in mid-Year 11 at school. Associate Professor Justin O’Day, head of the hospital’s neuro-ophthalmology unit at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital said: “Natalie’s a mystery. She’s a one-off, we don’t have a diagnosis.”

During “closed-eye days”, Ms Adler’s eyes are completely shut, except for a small slit in her left eye. On “open-eye days”, they function normally, though the left eyelid can droop.

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