Glaucoma and Regenerative Medicine Research

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, often — but not always — associated with elevated eye pressure. Vision loss usually begins in the periphery and is permanent.

What causes glaucoma?

Risk factors include elevated intraocular pressure, age, family history and certain ethnic backgrounds. Researchers study the survival of retinal ganglion cells, whose axons form the optic nerve.

What structures or cells are affected?

Retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve; the eye's drainage structures in some forms.

How is glaucoma currently treated or managed?

• Lowering eye pressure with eye drops, laser procedures or surgery.
• Regular monitoring of the optic nerve and visual field.

Are these approaches FDA approved for glaucoma?

● Established / Approved Pressure-lowering medicines, laser and surgical procedures are established glaucoma care.^[1]

No cell or biologic product is FDA-approved to restore vision lost to glaucoma, to our knowledge as of our last review.^[2]

Why are researchers studying regenerative approaches?

Because glaucoma vision loss comes from the death of retinal ganglion cells, researchers study ways to protect these cells (neuroprotection) and, much further off, to replace them.

Research is not treatment. The studies summarized below are investigational. They are presented for education only, do not show that any approach is safe or effective in patients, and are not a recommendation. Unless stated as FDA-approved, none of these approaches is approved for this condition. RUO materials are not for human use.

Stem Cell Research and Glaucoma

• ● Laboratory / In Vitro EvidenceStem Cell Research

  Replacing retinal ganglion cells and reconnecting them to the brain remains a major unsolved scientific challenge studied in the laboratory.

  EVIDENCE VERIFICATION REQUIRED. Specific studies have not yet been verified by our reviewers. Search the literature: PubMed search: retinal ganglion cell replacement stem cell

MSC Research and Glaucoma

• ● Preclinical Animal EvidenceMesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells (MSCs)

  Animal studies have explored MSCs and their secreted factors for retinal ganglion cell survival in glaucoma models.

  EVIDENCE VERIFICATION REQUIRED. Specific studies have not yet been verified by our reviewers. Search the literature: PubMed search: mesenchymal stem cells retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection glaucoma

Extracellular Vesicle / Exosome Research and Glaucoma

• ● Preclinical Animal EvidenceExtracellular Vesicles

  Preclinical research has studied MSC-derived extracellular vesicles in models of retinal ganglion cell injury.

  EVIDENCE VERIFICATION REQUIRED. Specific studies have not yet been verified by our reviewers. Search the literature: PubMed search: extracellular vesicles retinal ganglion cells

Other Cell-Based Research

We have not identified research in this category for glaucoma that meets our standards for inclusion.

Are Clinical Trials Underway?

Trial status changes often. Search the official U.S. registry directly: Glaucoma + stem cell. A registered trial is not an endorsement, and registration does not mean a treatment works.

What Has NOT Yet Been Proven

• That any cell or vesicle approach protects or restores vision in people with glaucoma.
• That lost optic-nerve function can be restored.

Potential Biological Mechanisms Researchers Are Investigating

Risks and Scientific Unknowns

• Unapproved cell and biologic procedures offered outside clinical trials have been associated with serious harm, including permanent vision loss.
• Products sold as "stem cells" or "exosomes" vary widely in what they actually contain; composition, purity and potency are often not independently verified.
• Results in cells and animals frequently do not carry over to people; many approaches that look promising in the laboratory never reach approval.

Questions to Ask a Qualified Eye Doctor

• What type and stage of this condition do I have, and how is it likely to progress?
• Which treatments are established for my situation, and what are their benefits and risks?
• Are there clinical trials I might qualify for, and how would I verify a trial is legitimate?
• If I have seen a clinic offering stem cell or exosome procedures for my eyes, what questions should I ask?
• Is my eye pressure at its target, and how often should my visual field be checked?

Related research questions

• What does current research say about MSCs and glaucoma?
• Is MSCs being studied for glaucoma?
• Are clinical trials investigating MSCs in glaucoma?
• What preclinical evidence exists involving MSCs and glaucoma?
• Has MSCs been studied in humans with glaucoma?
• What are the limitations of current MSCs research for glaucoma?
• Is MSCs FDA approved for glaucoma?
• What does current research say about extracellular vesicles and glaucoma?
• Is extracellular vesicles being studied for glaucoma?
• Are clinical trials investigating extracellular vesicles in glaucoma?
• What preclinical evidence exists involving extracellular vesicles and glaucoma?
• Has extracellular vesicles been studied in humans with glaucoma?
• What are the limitations of current extracellular vesicles research for glaucoma?
• Is extracellular vesicles FDA approved for glaucoma?

Frequently Asked Questions