Cell Transplantation in Age-related Macular Degeneration

Robert Machemer offers a surgical approach to age-related macular degeneration with his retinal rotation. There is already considerable experimental and clinical knowledge available in Europe and the US on transplantation techniques for age-related macular degeneration. On average, initial visual acuity can be preserved. When photodynamic therapy was standard for exudative AMD, transplantation was superior. Photodynamic therapy could not stop, but was instead able to slow down visual loss. Currently, VEGF-blocker therapy has priority, because the visual acuity can be improved. However, this advantage does not last much longer than two years. Therefore, in the future, transplantation with new cells and less surgical risk may be reconsidered. At present, homologous RPE stem cells show promising results. They may be delivered as "sheets" or as single cells. For dry AMD only, a prophylactic approach seems reasonable, because, thus far, we are unable to reverse the atrophy on the retinal side.