Replacing damaged retinal nerve cells to help people with glaucoma
Overcoming Barriers to retinal ganglion cell replacement in experimental glaucoma
Researchers are trying new ways to transplant lab-grown retinal nerve cells into damaged eyes to help people with glaucoma and other optic nerve conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146737 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses lab-grown human retinal ganglion cells (made from induced pluripotent stem cells) and transplants them into an established experimental model of glaucoma to learn how to make the cells survive and work. The team studies both changes to the donor cells and changes to the damaged eye to overcome barriers like cell survival, axon growth, and reconnecting to the brain. Most work is done in the laboratory using an animal model that mimics human glaucoma, building on prior success with initial transplants. The goal is to solve the technical obstacles that currently prevent retinal cell replacement from restoring vision.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with significant vision loss due to glaucoma or other optic nerve diseases caused by retinal ganglion cell loss would be the eventual candidates for related treatments.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss comes from retinal diseases that do not primarily involve retinal ganglion cell loss, or from advanced widespread retinal damage, may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable therapies that replace lost retinal ganglion cells and restore some vision for people blinded by glaucoma or other optic neuropathies.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical work has shown promise for transplanting retinal cells in animals, but long-term integration and restoration of vision in humans remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Jason Stephen — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Jason Stephen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.