How Stem Cells can Help us Model, Treat and Repair Eye Disorders

Researchers now have straightforward ways to generate stem cells, which have tremendous therapeutic potential, from specialized adult cells. Scientists have used stem cells to advance the study and treatment of eye disease in a number of ways. You can learn more from the video.

A three-dimensional model of the retina, a retinal organoid, was created from stem cells; it contains every major cell type found there. Retinal organoids are a great way to evaluate new therapeutics and transplants. They can also be made with cells from patients that are impacted by retinitis pigmentosa or Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) to test treatments directly. Stem cells might also be used not only to test therapies, but as a therapeutic themselves.