When a nerve becomes damaged, the cells retreat from the injured area, resulting in scar formation. The new scar then prevents the nerve from healing itself. Researchers have already developed a technique to regenerate muscle, skin, and other tissues without scarring, by stripping live tissue (from the brain, spinal cord, nerves, etc.) of actual cells, and then placing that cell-free tissue in the body, signaling the body to repair itself. Dr. Peter Crapo is working on a process that would essentially “trick” the body into repairing the damaged optic nerve once it is treated with the cell-free tissue. This treatment could restore sight to a blind person who suffered nerve damage during an accident or from a nerve-damaging disease.