Dr. Sun Young Lee from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California has been working on a new twist for stem cells.  They are developing a stem cell implant for patients with dry macular degeneration that in early trials not only stops the loss of vision, it also seems to correct the vision that has already been lost.  Simply, it is showing promise as a cure.  The study noted that in 27% of the patients the implant takes over the damaged cells.

Approximately 20 million Americans live with either dry or wet age-related macular degeneration.  The process puts a lab grown healthy stem cell patch on the macula which replaces damaged cells.  This process is designed for dry macular degeneration, but if successful it can delay or eliminate the progression of dry to wet degeneration which causes vision loss far faster than the more common dry degeneration.  The second phase of the study is being implemented and patients aged 55-90 are eligible. 

Doctor Michele Slivinski said, “Stem cell-derived retinal implants may offer one of the greatest possibilities for helping patients with dry age-related macular degeneration and one day may offer a cure.”

Written by Richard Crandall, February 2026, Quarterly Newsletter