Using stem cells from bone marrow to treat vision loss from retinal vein occlusion

The Phase I/II Randomized, Prospective, Double-blinded, Sham-controlled Cross-over Study of Intravitreal Autologous Bone Marrow CD34+ Stem Cell Therapy for Retinal Vein Occlusion

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · NIH-10408803

This study is looking at whether using your own stem cells from bone marrow can help improve vision for older adults with vision loss from retinal vein occlusion, and you'll be part of a friendly trial where some people get the real treatment and others get a placebo, all while we keep track of how it works over two years.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DAVIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10408803 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the safety and potential benefits of using autologous CD34+ stem cells from bone marrow to treat vision loss caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a common issue in older adults. Participants will undergo a procedure to extract bone marrow, from which the CD34+ cells will be isolated and injected into the eye. The study is designed as a randomized, double-blinded trial, meaning that neither the participants nor the researchers will know who receives the actual treatment versus a sham procedure. The trial will follow participants for two years to assess the effectiveness of the treatment in improving vision and retinal health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing vision loss due to retinal vein occlusion.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have retinal vein occlusion or those with other unrelated vision problems may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment option that improves vision for patients suffering from retinal vein occlusion.

How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot trials have shown that using intravitreal autologous CD34+ cells is safe, suggesting a promising avenue for further investigation.

Where this research is happening

DAVIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.