AMD Stem Cell Treatment: Where Research Stands

Medically reviewed by Paul B. Griggs, M.D.

Written by Emily Wagner, M.S.

Posted on August 25, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Stem cell therapy is being studied as a possible way to repair and replace the damaged cells that cause vision loss in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

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Each person’s body contains stem cells — powerful cells that can help replace or regenerate new, healthy tissues. Studies are currently looking at stem cell treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as a way to repair and replace damaged cells in the eyes.

AMD therapies using stem cells show promise, but they’re not yet widely available. More research is needed to make sure they’re safe and effective for AMD.

This article will cover what stem cell therapy is, how it may help with AMD, and where research and availability currently stand.

What Is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells are our bodies’ way of replacing damaged cells and repairing tissues. They have the ability to replicate or make copies of themselves. Stem cells also develop into specialized cells that make specific tissues. This process is called differentiation.

The type of stem cell determines which tissues it helps create. Stem cells that form blood cells are different from stem cells in your skin.

Researchers have found a way to “reprogram” cells to tell them to become stem cells. These are known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Researchers take blood or skin cells and turn on certain genes to make iPSCs.

The iPSCs are then ready to become other cell types based on the condition they’re trying to treat. For example, the iPSCs may replace eye cells lost in AMD.

🗳️ Would you consider participating in a clinical trial to test a new AMD treatment?

Yes, I’d consider participating in a clinical trial.

No, I wouldn’t consider participating in a clinical trial.

I’m not sure whether I’d consider participating in a clinical trial.

How Stem Cell Might Therapy Help With AMD

AMD damages two types of cells in the eyes:

Photoreceptor cells — Specialized cells made of rods and cones that convert the light we see into signals sent to the brain
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells — Cells that form a protective layer for the retina and transport blood and waste products

In a form of advanced dry age-related macular degeneration called geographic atrophy (GA), RPE cells become damaged and can’t support the photoreceptors by supplying nutrients and taking away waste. Without the support of RPE cells, the photoreceptors die off.

Over time, dry AMD causes central vision loss, making day-to-day life difficult. Unlike the dry form, wet AMD causes abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid buildup in the retina. Since dry AMD forms from damaged cells, stem cell therapy may be more applicable for treating dry AMD than wet AMD.

Researchers believe that replacing the lost RPE cells and photoreceptors may help treat AMD. Stem cells can also make new, healthy cells that can be transplanted into the eye to help repair existing photoreceptors and RPE cells.

The exact way stem cell therapies for AMD work will depend on how damaged the cells are. Early AMD might be stopped and even reversed by supporting the RPE cells already in the eyes. For more advanced disease, differentiated stem cells may replace the missing RPE cells and photoreceptors.

Current Research on Stem Cell Therapy for AMD

A handful of studies have investigated stem cell therapy for AMD. Some small clinical trials show promising results, but only larger, long-term studies can determine how effective the treatment is.

One of the first stem cell treatments for dry AMD in the United States began in 2022. One participant had iPSCs made from their own blood cells. Researchers then created RPE cells from the iPSCs and transplanted them into the participant’s eyes.

Injectable Stem Cells Show Promise for Treating Advanced Dry AMD

Since then, other regenerative medicine studies have released findings using similar treatments. Another small study followed 12 people with GA treated with OpRegen — another stem cell therapy that makes RPE cells. These cells are injected into the eye underneath the photoreceptors.

One year later, early results showed that people treated with OpRegen could read an average of 7.6 letters more on a vision chart compared to pretransplant. On the other hand, those who didn’t receive the stem cell treatment could read only 1.3 letters more.

Nearly three years later, a follow-up study found that stem cell therapy may have lasting effects. The researchers noted that people treated with OpRegen have had steady vision improvements. Theoretically, the injected stem cell treatment supports the undamaged eye cells and helps them function longer.

Stem Cell Membranes May Help Treat Advanced Dry AMD

One of the challenges of using stem cells to treat AMD is getting the cells in the correct part of the eye. Free-floating RPE cells injected into the eye can form clumps. If they clump, they can’t create a supportive layer under the photoreceptors.

Some studies have looked at growing RPE cells made from stem cells on a thin membrane. A surgeon then implants this membrane underneath the retina so the cells can work as they should.

Another small clinical trial followed 15 participants with GA who received a stem cell membrane implant called CPCB-RPE1. Three years after treatment, the researchers found that the treatment improved vision by five or more letters on a vision chart.

A second clinical trial is currently underway to continue investigating stem cell implants for GA. This phase 2 study will help researchers learn more about the safety and efficacy of the treatment for advanced AMD.

Challenges of AMD Stem Cell Treatments

Studies on stem cell therapies have focused mostly on replacing lost RPE cells in AMD. These approaches work best in people who still have functional photoreceptors in their eyes.

Unfortunately, researchers haven’t figured out how to treat damaged photoreceptors in advanced AMD. It’s harder to make photoreceptors out of stem cells and transplant them correctly. This is because photoreceptors need to connect with other cells in the retina.

Early studies in animal models show it might be possible to transplant photoreceptors made from stem cells. However, more medical research in humans is needed before this treatment can be tried in human studies.

How To Access Stem Cell Therapy for AMD

Currently, stem cell therapy is only approved to treat blood cancers and some immune system diseases. The only way to safely access stem cell therapy for AMD is through a clinical trial. These large studies recruit participants to try experimental treatments in a monitored environment.

If you’re curious about finding a study near you that you might be eligible to join, talk to your AMD specialist or look at clinicaltrials.gov.

Clinical trials have strict criteria that determine who can join. For example, one study is currently recruiting participants with AMD — specifically those who have GA. People with wet AMD aren’t eligible. Most clinical trials also have age, health, and other requirements to participate.

Unlicensed Stem Cell Clinics Offer Unapproved Treatments

Unlicensed clinics also offer stem cell transplants for AMD and claim good results. These cell-based therapies haven’t been through clinical studies or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At this time, there’s no proof that these therapies work and no safety oversight of the procedures.

Unlicensed clinics inject the person’s own stem cells directly into the eye. However, these stem cells haven’t been treated to become RPE cells or photoreceptors. Unapproved treatments can be dangerous and even cause blindness.