Eye Health News

Vision loss reversed with new stem cell therapy

A Phase 1 Clinical study of an experimental stem cell treatment for the web form of macular degeneration has resulted in two people having their vision loss reversed and their vision improving to being able to read with reading glasses.

The study was published in Nature Biotechnology. Doctors used a surgical tool specifically designed for the surgery to insert a stem cell based patch under the retina in the affected eye of each patient. The patients were followed for 12 months and reported improvements to their sight. Previously, they could not read even while wearing glasses to being able to read 60-80 words a minute with reading glasses. This new therapy is still in the early stages with more research being needed to determine the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Researchers are hopeful, however, that this therapy will become an effective new treatment for macular degeneration patients.*