Title of UC Davis Researchers Focus on Stem Cells to Treat Vision Lossyour new page

A 'light at the end of the tunnel' could be more than just an expression in the coming years. It could be a reality for people suffering from vision loss due to retinal vein occlusion. UC Davis researchers are poised to begin pioneering the use of adult stem cells to treat vision problems in patients with blockage of blood flow to the retina-the condition known as retinal vein occlusion or “RVO.”

 

This will be the first time stem cell therapy has been tried with humans suffering from Retinal Vein Occlusion. UC Davis scientists also are working on stem cell-based therapies that might delay progression of macular degeneration, which is the number one cause of age-related blindness in the nation. Such projects are all part of the research activities now underway through the new UC Davis Stem Cell Program in Sacramento.

 

 

Susanna Park, associate professor of ophthalmology and vision science, is the lead investigator for research to treat the retinal vein problem, a condition that is second only to diabetic retinopathy in causing vascular-related vision loss. Patients with the condition experience a sudden loss of sight due to blockage of circulation of the retinal vein resulting in hemorrhaging and impairment of the function of the retina, which is the light- sensing tissue that lines the back half of the eye.

 

“Animal studies have shown that in eyes where the retinal blood vessels have been damaged by diabetes or high eye pressure, adult bone marrow stem cells injected in the eye resulted in dramatic healing of the retinal blood vessels,” says Park. “Whether this effect results in improved recovery of retinal function is not known, but we have great hope for success.”

 

She and David Telander, assistant professor of ophthalmology and vision science, plan to begin a Phase I clinical trial in 2008, pending approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

 

“We want to see if repairing damaged blood vessels using stem cells can improve vision for people with new vision loss from this condition,” Park explained.