Question. I read the article you published about stem cell transplantation to repair the retina. I would like information about it as my partner has severe retinal problems, has also undergone a corneal transplant in both eyes and has totally lost his sight to date. He is a 55-year-old man in good health and I would like to know if there is a small chance to help him, emotionally he is very tried and seeing him let go, with 2 children of his and one of mine still adolescents, is not nice at all. I have a small hope that in the immediate future, even if in a small percentage, something will be discovered to help him.
Do you also want to ask a question to a health retina expert? Write to [email protected]
Answer. Dear Madam, unfortunately today everything in the eye is transplantable like the cornea (surgery already performed in your partner) and the lens in case of cataract, but not the retina because it is a piece of brain and nerve cells to date once damaged they remain so permanently. Obviously, research is constantly evolving and we must always hope for the future.
* Teresio Avitabile, director of the ophthalmology clinic of Catania and general secretary of the Italian Society of Ophthalmology
.