Our Summary

Retinal degeneration (RD) is a major cause of blindness around the globe. It covers diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, and Stargardt’s disease. These illnesses cause lasting vision loss due to the gradual, irreversible damage of retinal cells. The adult human eye can’t effectively fix itself, so fully restoring these cells is tough. Right now, there’s no effective clinical treatment for RD.

However, stem cell therapy, which involves transplanting stem cells or activating existing stem cells in the eye, may offer hope for fixing retinal cells and treating RD. Several early and clinical studies have shown that stem cell therapies could work for RD.

Despite this, taking these therapies from the lab to the clinic to significantly improve vision still involves many hurdles. This paper gives a thorough overview of using stem cell-based therapies for RD, summarises recent progress in early studies and clinical trials, and highlights the major obstacles in using these therapies for RD.

FAQs

  1. What is retinal degeneration and what diseases does it cover?
  2. Is there currently an effective clinical treatment for retinal degeneration?
  3. How might stem cell therapy help in treating retinal degeneration?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about retinal surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully. This may include using prescribed eye drops, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments. Following these instructions can help ensure the best possible outcome and minimize the risk of complications.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for retinal surgery include those with retinal degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, and Stargardt’s disease. These patients experience gradual and irreversible damage to their retinal cells, leading to lasting vision loss. Stem cell therapy is being explored as a potential treatment option for these patients, as it may help in restoring retinal cells and improving vision. However, the transition from lab studies to clinical trials and ultimately to effective treatments for retinal degeneration involves several challenges that need to be addressed.

Timeline

  1. Diagnosis: The patient is diagnosed with retinal degeneration and is informed about the potential treatment options, including stem cell therapy.

  2. Pre-surgery preparation: The patient undergoes various tests and evaluations to determine their eligibility for stem cell therapy. They also receive counseling and education about the procedure and what to expect.

  3. Stem cell transplantation: The patient undergoes the stem cell transplantation surgery, where stem cells are either transplanted into the eye or activated within the eye to repair damaged retinal cells.

  4. Post-surgery recovery: The patient goes through a recovery period following the surgery, which may involve medication, follow-up appointments, and monitoring of their vision and eye health.

  5. Vision improvement: Over time, the patient may experience improvements in their vision as the stem cell therapy works to repair damaged retinal cells and improve overall eye function.

  6. Long-term monitoring: The patient continues to be monitored regularly to assess the success of the stem cell therapy and to address any potential complications or issues that may arise.

Overall, the timeline for a patient before and after retinal surgery involving stem cell therapy is a gradual process that involves careful evaluation, treatment, recovery, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the best possible outcome for vision improvement.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about retinal surgery include:

  1. What type of retinal surgery is recommended for my condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery?
  3. What is the expected outcome of the surgery in terms of improving my vision?
  4. What is the recovery process like after retinal surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies available for my condition?
  6. Are there any clinical trials or experimental treatments involving stem cell therapy that I may be eligible for?
  7. How long will it take to see improvements in my vision after the surgery?
  8. What is the success rate of retinal surgery for my specific condition?
  9. How often will I need follow-up appointments after the surgery?
  10. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take after retinal surgery to protect my vision?

Reference

Authors: Liu H, Lu S, Chen M, Gao N, Yang Y, Hu H, Ren Q, Liu X, Chen H, Zhu Q, Li S, Su J. Journal: Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2024 Aug;20(6):1459-1479. doi: 10.1007/s12015-024-10740-4. Epub 2024 May 29. PMID: 38809490