Scientists claim that new advancements in stem cell therapy could ultimately lead to effective treatments for people suffering from macular degeneration, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The report noted that researchers in the U.S. have been able to take retinal cells derived from embryonic stem cells and transplant then into rats’ eyes.
David Hinton, one of the primary researchers, said in the report that the successful transplant procedure represents a solid step forward in the attempt to treat macular degeneration, a primary cause of blindness among the elderly. While acknowledging that there is presently no reliable therapy to treat macular degeneration, he noted in the report that there is now reason be believe that successful efforts can be made to at least slow down the rate at which the condition progresses.
Hinton, who is also one of the California Project to Cure Blindness’ principal investigators, explained in the report that embryonic stem cells have the capacity to transform themselves into the cells harmed in macular degeneration. Hinton added that the team of researchers saw substantial improvements in the vision of rats that had received the transplants.
According to the report, the team of researchers is waiting for the Government of the U.S. to give it the go-ahead to commence human trials. In a best case scenario, the research team would received federal government approval within 24 months.
Hinton added in the report that cases of macular degeneration in the U.S. and Australia are bound to increase as the populations of the two countries continue to age. The report cited the Macular Degeneration Foundation as saying in a report that the number of people with either wet or dry macular degeneration will by 2030 climb by 70%. According to the report, 90% of those with macular degeneration have the dry form and 10% have the wet from.
Meanwhile, University of Sydney Ophthalmology Professor Mark Gillies said in the report that the U.S. research team’s findings represent a promising initial step. He cautioned, however, that there is still a long way to go before human treatments are found.
He also admitted to being somewhat skeptical about the findings. He explained that the U.S. research team did not transplant photoreceptor cells, which were harmed by macular degeneration. These cells, he said in the report, are needed for vision.