Strategies on the application of stem cells based therapies for the treatment of optic neuropathies

摘要

The retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)are not able to regenerate following optic nerve injury resulting in an irreversible vision loss in patients with optic neuropathies including glaucoma.Recent findings in ocular regeneration have opened promising avenues to apply stem cell-based modalities to restore vision in progressive optic neuropathies.Stem cellbased therapies can help to improve retinal regeneration by solving two major problems:(1)by preventing secondary degeneration of RGCs and preserving the remaining vision,and(2)by replacing degenerated RGCs and promoting RGC axon regeneration in the damaged area.