Researchers have successfully transplanted retinal cells into monkeys’ eyes, giving hope for this method as a treatment for blindness.

Over 200 million people worldwide are affected by vision loss due to degeneration of a layer of cells in the eye called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

In this proof-of-concept study, an international group of scientists took stem cells from donated eyes from human adults and turned them into retinal cells. They then transplanted these cells into the eyes of monkeys, where they survived for three months with no serious side effects, such as attack from the immune system or light sensitivity.

What’s more, the cells started to take over some of the function of the monkeys’ RPE, and didn’t cause any retinal scarring.

“Human cadaver donor-derived cells can be safely transplanted underneath the retina and replace host function, and therefore may be a promising source for rescuing vision in patients with retina diseases,” said Dr Timothy Blenkinsop, assistant professor in Cell, Developmental & Regenerative Biology at the Icahn School of Medicine, New York.

“The results of this study suggest human adult donor RPE is safe to transplant, strengthening the argument for human clinical trials for treating retina disease.”

Using stem cells, the researchers say, could provide an unlimited source of transplants, and could ensure that the transplants are matched to the recipients.

This study shows that it is feasible that RPE transplants derived from stem cells could be a viable treatment for visual impairment. However, further experiments are needed before this treatment will become available.

The team say that next, they need to give the transplants to diseased monkeys and test whether it actually restores their sight. Following that, this method will then be tested in human patients.