>> quijano: this past week an fda advisory panel endorsed a pioneering gene therapy for a rare form of blindness. here again is errol barnett. >> it's the most horrifying feeling just seeing everything fade away over time. >> reporter: most of 17 year old christian guardino's life has been a blur. when he was born with lca, a genetic mutation that leads to a life of blindness his mother beth felt hopeless. >> he was my first born, so, sorry, it was devastating. we were alone. we were completely alone in this.