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Iris pigment cells transplanted to retina in patients after CNV removal

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Iris pigment epithelial cells may serve as a substitute for retinal pigment epithelial cells in patients with exudative macular degeneration who have undergone removal of choroidal neovascularization, according to a German study. The study authors noted, however, that it is unclear whether the transplanted iris cells with be of value in restoring vision.

Sabine Aisenbrey, MD, and colleagues at Eberhard-Karls University in Tübingen studied the functional and anatomical outcomes of 20 patients who underwent surgical removal of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) combined with translocation of autologous iris pigment epithelial cells. The freshly isolated autologous iris pigment epithelial cells were transplanted to the subretinal space after membrane extraction. Follow-up was 3 years.

At the end of the follow-up, one patient showed improved visual acuity, 13 maintained stable acuity and three had reduced acuity. No macular edema or recurrent CNV was apparent.

The study is published in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.