Conditions

Macular degeneration is a chronic eye condition that primarily affects older adults. It is a leading cause of vision loss in individuals aged 50 and older. The macula, a small but crucial part of the retina responsible for central vision, deteriorates over time in people with Macular degeneration.

Most of the time, Macular degeneration is dry. This means the macula thins and breaks down over time, leading to the formation of small, yellowish deposits known as drusen. In more severe cases, it can involve the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the macula, damaging it, resulting in sudden and severe central vision loss.

Stem Cells for Macular Degeneration

Stem cells can rejuvenate essential components of a healthy retina, such as the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cells. These crucial retinal cells are adversely affected, making stem cell therapies an ideal avenue for reversing vision loss that was once considered irreversible.

The typical procedure involves administering the stem cells directly into the eye to replace or regenerate damaged cells.

Retinal diseases

Retinal diseases lead to visual impairment in millions of patients worldwide. The typical pathological manifestations of Retinal diseases involve the degeneration and demise of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells, which lack the capacity for regeneration.

Stem Cells for Retinal diseases

Stem cells have the capacity to enhance the microenvironment of the retina through the secretion of trophic factors and the regulation of the immune response. This, in turn, facilitates vascular repair and promotes the survival of cells.

The advanced phases of retinal detachment are distinguished by significant loss of retinal neurons. Consequently, the direct application of stem cells to replace these damaged neurons is a notable focus of research. Numerous studies have demonstrated that transplanted stem cells into the impaired retina can undergo differentiation into retinal cells, and they may even integrate into the retina, contributing to the restoration of visual function in cases of retinal detachment.