Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, primarily due to the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Given the potential of stem-cell therapy to regenerate these cells and restore vision, many patients eagerly seek treatment options. Although research is advancing, safe and effective stem-cell treatments for glaucoma have not yet been discovered.*

Progress in Stem-Cell Research for Glaucoma

While stem-cell therapy offers hope for restoring vision, it remains experimental. Adult stem cells are grown in a laboratory from tissue samples, typically taken from blood, bone marrow, fat, or skin cells of adult patients. Scientists have successfully converted human stem cells into RGCs in the lab and tested transplants in animals. Key challenges remain, however, such as ensuring transplanted cells integrate properly and restore meaningful vision. 

Currently, no FDA-approved stem-cell treatments exist for glaucoma. While a few clinical trials for other eye diseases are underway, no safe options are available for patients.

Researchers are also actively exploring gene therapy approaches that stimulate existing retinal cells to regenerate RGCs, potentially offering a new way to repair vision loss, but these strategies are also still in the experimental phase and require further development before human trials can begin.

The Dangers of Unapproved Stem-Cell Treatments

Despite the lack of FDA-approved stem-cell treatments for glaucoma, some unregulated clinics exploit patient desperation by offering unproven procedures that can lead to severe consequences, including blindness and cancer. Some patients have suffered serious complications from unsafe stem-cell injections, and these clinics often charge thousands of dollars for the ineffective or harmful treatments.

Patients considering stem-cell treatment for glaucoma should verify whether the therapy is:

• Published in reputable journals, 
• Registered as a clinical trial on clinicaltrials.gov (still, exercise caution), and 
• Has an FDA-assigned IND number. 

Legitimate clinical trials do not charge participants. Until rigorous clinical testing ensures safety and effectiveness, patients should exercise caution and seek guidance from medical professionals.

*Goldberg, J. (2023, January). Is There a Safe Stem-cell Treatment for Glaucoma in 2023? Glaucoma Research Foundation. https://glaucoma.org/articles/is-there-a-safe-stem-cell-treatment-for-glaucoma-in-2023 

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