wet AMD tagged posts

Stem cell-derived retinal pigmented epithelial cells. Cell borders are green and nuclei are red. Photo Credit: DENNIS CLEGG, UCSB CENTER FOR STEM CELL BIOLOGY AND ENGINEERING

Researchers helped develop a specially engineered retinal patch to treat people with sudden, severe sight loss. In July 2015, 86-year-old Douglas Waters developed severe age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He struggled to see things clearly, even when up close. A few months later, he became part of a clinical trial that used stem cell-derived ocular cells developed in part by researchers at UC Santa Barbara. His retinal eyepatch was implanted at Moorfields Eye Hospital, a National Health Service (NHS) facility in Waters’ hometown of London, England.

In the months before Waters’ surgery, his vision was poor and he ...