Optic Nerve Regeneration In India To Restore Normal Vision

Do you know that you can lose your vision slowly or abruptly because of damage to the nerves in your eyes? 

Losing your vision means you need others’ help to do your daily activities. You cannot be self-reliant anymore. 

Though in conventional medical science, there is no promising solution, the latest advancement in stem cell therapies has generated a new ray of hope for optic nerve regeneration in India. 

You can come out from the constant struggle of the deterioration of your vision and live a more fulfilling and confident life.

Before we start our discussion on the solution part let’s first briefly understand the optic nerve damage.

What is Optic Nerve Damage?

Your optic nerve gets damaged when the body’s immune cells attack the nerve of the eye connecting the retina to the brain. It can be caused due to multiple sclerosis (immune system disorder), lupus (another immune disorder), or due to infections. 

Let’s now understand the main symptoms of optic nerve damage.

What are the symptoms of Optic Nerve Damage? 

These are the symptoms of optic nerve damage:

1. Pain in the eye while rotating the eyeball 
2. The problem with seeing colours 
3. Reduced vision 
4. Seeing flashlights 
5. Blurred vision 
6. Problem with central vision and peripheral vision 

Do you wonder, what causes optic nerve damage? 

Let’s understand the probable cause of optic nerve damage.

What are the causes of Optic Nerve Damage? 

Different diseases can cause optic nerve damage. Some of the diseases are listed below. 

Let’s now know about the diagnostic procedures.

What is the diagnostic procedure for Optic Nerve Damage?

Diagnosis of optic nerve defects can be made through diagnostic scans, vision tests, MRIs, and optic scans known as optic coherence tomography. 

Here are the steps for diagnosis:

Now that we have known about the diagnostic procedures, let’s move on to the treatment strategies of optic nerve regeneration.

Treatment strategies for Optic Nerve Damage 

The following section covers both the conventional and advanced treatments of optic nerve damage.

Current Conventional Treatment Approach in Optic Nerve Atrophy 

The main optic nerve treatment approach in retinal degeneration is to decrease your intraocular pressure or the IOP. 

Certain medications such as beta blockers and prostaglandins are given to generally reduce the production of aqueous fluid and to facilitate drainage of the excess fluid produced in the eye. 

In a few cases of glaucoma, your doctor can also have laser surgery to drain the fluid from the eye. 

Stem Cell Therapy for Optic Nerve Regeneration 

Stem cell therapy can regenerate your retinal cells and is an advanced treatment for optic nerve atrophy.

Stem cells are the basic building blocks of human beings. These are the cells which are having the capability to multiply themselves and can also generate different functional cells.

These are the cells that transform a zygote (the first indication of life in the womb – which is a combination of four stem cells)  into a human baby in nine months.

Though stem cells are of many kinds, the stem cells that are used in optic nerve treatment are known as mesenchymal stem cells.

What are Mesenchymal Stem Cells? 

Mesenchymal stem cells are pluripotent stem cells which means – they can take the role of multiple cell types including neuronal cells. 

Mesenchymal stem cells can be extracted and isolated from the umbilical cord, adipocytes, and bone marrow. 

Now that you have understood what is mesenchymal stem cells, let us understand about nerve cells in the eyes which are regenerated by mesenchymal stem cell transplantation or optic nerve repair.

What are Retinal Ganglion Cells? 

Retinal ganglion cells are neuronal cells present on the inner surface of the retina.  They receive visual signals from the photoreceptor cells. 

The retinal ganglion cells have a long axon that carries visual information from the eye to the mid-brain, thalamus, or hypothalamus ( parts of the brain) to make you perceive your vision. 

Now, there are about a million retinal ganglion cells in your eye, but if they get weakened due to certain reasons, you are unable to see objects properly.

How does Stem Cell Therapy function to revive or generate weakened Retinal Ganglion Cells and Optic Atrophy? 

After transplanting the mesenchymal stem cells in the intravitreal space (space in the back of the eye called a vitreous cavity), they migrate to the retina and start secreting various neurotrophic factors which are growth factors responsible for axon regeneration. 

Studies have suggested that the mesenchymal stem cells secrete extracellular vesicles (cell-derived carriers of active molecules to recipient cells) which can prevent apoptosis or cell death of retinal ganglion cells preventing optic atrophy. 

Researchers concluded in their studies that stem cells have the potential to restore normal niches inside the retina, by either integrating into the retina or creating a normal environment for the conduction of neuronal impulses ( by secreting a component called BDNF or other neurotrophic factors like neurotrophin). 

The good news is that a clinical trial on stem cells for regenerating retinal cells has been performed in some countries and the latest research has met with success.

Advantages and effects of using stem cells for Optic Nerve Regeneration 

One of the main advantages of using MSCs (Mesenchymal stem cells)  is that they do not cause any rejection by your body. 

Another advantage is that you do not get any side effects from the treatment. 

However, there are two points which you may like to know. One is the place of transferring the stem cells. Transfer in the retinal space is very effective, as the chances of the MSCs getting integrated into the retinal environment are high. However, this procedure is slightly complicated. On the other hand transfer of MSCs in the intravetrial space is very safe and can be performed easily. 

Lastly, the effect of the transfer of stem cells depends on the stage of the disease. The stem cells may not be able to revive the dead retinal ganglion cells, but according to the research they can even be applied to patients at a later stage when optic nerve atrophy has started and less vision has remained. 

Takeaway

Stem cell therapy provides a solution to optic atrophy. These cells possess the ability to regenerate damaged nerves and restore your vision.

It can lower challenges related to central and peripheral vision, nighttime vision, and color differentiation. The capacity of stem cells to generate new neuronal cells offers a solution to vision disabilities and paves the way for optic nerve repair. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinical Review Board on 15 May 2024