Stem Cell Therapy

Our eyes are the most sensitive and miraculous windows of our body opening to the outside world. However, due to genetic factors, advancing age, or various environmental influences, the fundamental nerve cells that enable vision can be damaged over time, leading to irreversible losses. Many hereditary and degenerative retinal diseases, labeled as "untreatable" for years in the medical world, have found a new light of hope today through revolutionary developments in the field of Regenerative Medicine. The strongest representative of this revolution is Stem Cell Therapy.

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells are the fundamental building blocks—the "master" cells—of the human body. They form the origin of all other specialized cells (such as heart muscle, brain nerves, or retinal cells). Stem cells possess two unique and miraculous properties: first, the ability to renew themselves through unlimited division; and second, the potential to transform into the specific damaged cell types the body needs when placed in the appropriate environment.

Stem cell therapy applied in eye diseases involves the safe injection of these "smart" cells—specially produced, expanded, and purified in laboratory settings—into the damaged eye tissues (specifically the retina and optic nerve regions) that cause vision loss. The primary goal of the treatment is not to fully "resurrect" dead cells, but rather to repair and revitalize "dormant" cells that are damaged but not yet dead, thereby halting the progression of the disease at a cellular level.

Which Eye Diseases is Stem Cell Therapy Applied To?

Stem cell therapy is not suitable for every eye disease. It shows the highest potential in degenerative and hereditary diseases where nerve cells (photoreceptors and the optic nerve) are damaged. The primary diseases evaluated for stem cell application at our clinic include:

1. Retinitis Pigmentosa (Night Blindness): The hereditary disease for which stem cell therapy is most frequently applied worldwide with the most successful results. It plays a major role in slowing down cell death.
2. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Applied particularly in the dry type of AMD to support thinning and drying macular cells.
3. Optic Nerve Diseases (Optic Atrophy and Neuropathies): Used to nourish and protect optic discs that have thinned or been damaged due to glaucoma (eye pressure) or toxic causes.
4. Macular Dystrophies (Stargardt Disease, etc.): Preferred to slow the progression of central vision loss that begins in childhood or youth due to genetic reasons.

How Does the Mechanism of Stem Cells Work?

The scientific mechanism utilized by Dr. Ayşe Öner is based on the principles of "Paracrine Effect" and "Neuroprotection." Rather than immediately turning into new nerve cells, the injected stem cells act as microscopic pharmacies or "repairmen":

1. Release of Growth Factors (Neurotrophic Support): Stem cells secrete healing proteins called "growth factors" (such as BDNF and NGF) that nourish weakened retinal cells and restart their energy powerhouses.
2. Blocking Cell Death (Apoptosis): They significantly reduce the rate of vision loss by blocking the programmed cell death triggered by genetic diseases.
3. Neovascularization and Immune Regulation: They regulate blood flow at the back of the eye, ensuring better nutrition for ischemic (oxygen-deprived) tissues while suppressing harmful inflammatory reactions to protect the nerves.

Application and Sources of Stem Cells

At our clinic, we use "Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells" (Wharton’s Jelly) obtained from high-tech tissue laboratories that hold international GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards and Ministry of Health approval. These cells have the highest regeneration capacity and near-zero risk of rejection (tissue incompatibility). There is no need for a preliminary surgical procedure to harvest cells from the patient's own fat or bone marrow.

The Procedure:

Stem cell therapy is not a major open surgery. The application is performed in sterile operating room conditions under local anesthesia (drops) or light sedation, and is completely painless. Depending on the disease, cells are applied with micron-level precision either under the outer membrane of the eye (Subtenon injection) or directly into the eye (Intravitreal injection). The procedure takes only 15-20 minutes. Patients are discharged the same day and can return to their daily lives quickly.

Expectations and Scientific Reality

While stem cell therapy is a great hope, our priority is for our patients' expectations to be based on scientific and ethical grounds. This therapy is not a "magic wand" that creates a new eye from scratch for a 100% dead nerve tissue. However, when applied to the right patient at the right time:

1. It can stop or significantly slow the progression of diseases like Night Blindness and AMD.
2. It can expand the visual field (reducing tunnel vision).
3. It can improve light sensitivity, color perception, and contrast sensitivity.
4. It can extend the duration of independent living by preserving current vision levels.
5. Improvement generally begins from the 1st month following application and cellular repair effects continue to increase until the 6th month.

To reawaken the vital potential in your cells and add a new vision to your life with the comfort of a VIP health journey, contact our clinic immediately.