Thanks to innovative research from NIH scientists, vision loss from dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) might be able to be reversed. A cutting-edge surgical approach is now reshaping how cell therapy may combat this leading cause of blindness, bringing effective treatments tantalizingly close for those affected.
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Transforming Cell Therapy Delivery
Traditionally, retinal cell therapy faced a major hurdle: surgeons could only implant one tissue graft at a time. This limited both the area treated and the chance to compare therapies within the same eye. The new NIH-developed method overcomes this by using a specialized surgical clamp that keeps eye pressure stable, allowing two tissue patches to be implanted in rapid succession. This advancement means larger treatment areas, minimized eye trauma, and the ability to compare different therapies side by side.
Rigorous Testing in Animal Models
To prove the method’s effectiveness, NIH researchers tested it in animal models with retinal degeneration similar to AMD. Two types of grafts were implanted:
- RPE cell graft: Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human stem cells on a biodegradable scaffold. RPE cells are vital for supporting the retina’s photoreceptors, which are damaged in AMD.
- Control graft: A scaffold without any RPE cells, serving as a baseline for comparison.
By delivering both types of grafts within the same retina, researchers gained crucial insight into how different approaches affect retinal healing and function.
Remarkable Results: Enhanced Healing and Vascular Growth
Post-surgery, advanced artificial intelligence analyzed retinal images to assess outcomes. The RPE cell grafts led to a marked increase in photoreceptor survival compared to the control grafts. These photoreceptors are key for detecting light and enabling vision, so their preservation is a critical success.
Importantly, the team also documented— for the first time— that RPE cell grafts can regenerate the choriocapillaris. This network of tiny blood vessels delivers vital nutrients and oxygen to the retina and is essential for sustaining restored vision.
Accelerating Clinical Innovation
This technique’s impact goes beyond the lab. It supports ongoing NIH clinical trials using patient-derived RPE grafts for dry AMD and opens the door to more comprehensive, personalized treatments. By enabling multiple grafts in one procedure, researchers can test higher doses, compare therapies directly, and develop combination approaches tailored to individual patients.
Moreover, this dual-graft strategy streamlines preclinical research, allowing for faster, more reliable therapy optimization before moving to human trials. The result: a shorter path from laboratory breakthroughs to real-world patient care.
Looking Ahead: Toward Restoring Vision
The NIH’s new surgical method marks a pivotal advance in the quest to restore sight lost to dry AMD. By enabling precise, flexible, and robust cell therapy studies, it moves us closer to personalized vision restoration for millions. As research and collaboration continue, the promise of reversing vision loss grows ever stronger.
Source
Adapted from NIH News Release, May 22, 2025. nih.gov
A Breakthrough Surgical Technique Promises New Hope for Vision Loss