Stem cells injected into eyes: a new hope for blindness?

NCT ID NCT01736059

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage trial is testing whether it is safe to inject a person's own bone marrow stem cells into their eye to treat vision loss from conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Fifteen adults with severe vision loss will receive the injection and be monitored for side effects. The goal is to check safety and feasibility, not yet to see if it improves eyesight.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

CD34+ bone marrow stem cells

What this could lead to

If safe, this could pave the way for larger studies exploring stem cell injections as a treatment for certain types of vision loss.

What could go wrong

This is a very early, small safety trial with only 15 people. It is not designed to prove the treatment works, and there are risks like infection or vision loss from the injection itself.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

diabetic retinopathy dry age related macular degeneration hereditary macular dystrophy retinal disorder retinal vein occlusion retinitis pigmentosa

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of California Davis

    Sacramento, California, 95817, United States