Cell Delivery: Surgical Approaches

Abstract

Retinal degenerative diseases are the primary cause of irreversible visual impairment worldwide. At present, the available therapeutic options are very limited and can only delay the disease progress. Treatments to restore visual function are limited primarily to retinal prostheses, which require residual inner retinal and optic nerve function and provide vision typically at the ambulatory level or worse. Current research is focusing on the development of regenerative strategies delivering therapeutic cells aimed at replacing the damaged retina and supporting visual function. Stem cells are becoming a significant source for cell transplantation, but non-stem cell, predominantly autologous, sources have been used as well.