A recent news report documented the cases of three elderly women who were blinded after getting stem cells derived from fat tissue at a Florida clinic in hopes of treating their macular degeneration.
Stem Cell Treatments for the Eyes Have Not Been Approved by the FDA
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) urges the public to question the lofty claims that certain clinics make about stem cell treatments, and to note that at present the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any stem cell therapies for the eyes.
In fact, according to AAO and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, there are no stem cell therapies that have yet proven to be safe and effective for treating your eyes.
Be Cautious of Clinical Trials for Stem Cell Treatments for the Eyes
If you have interest in a clinical trial of a stem cell treatment for your eye disease, as a rule of thumb, you should make sure it is an FDA-approved trial.
Also, beware of any clinic that demands a large sum of money for an unapproved therapy. Legitimate researchers rarely charge patients to participate in a study.
Remember, at best these unsanctioned treatments will be ineffective, and at worst they can be quite dangerous to the long-term health of your eyes. Know in advance what you’re getting into — your vision may well depend on it.
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