Human stem cells

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and Stem Cells Australia have jointly issued a patient information leaflet for people considering stem cell treatments for eye conditions.

Stem Cells for Eyesight provides patients with information about stem cell treatments for eyesight and warns about treatments unproven in clinical trials, unsubstantiated marketing claims and unverified testimonials. Patients are advised to check a new stem cell treatment is part of an ethically-approved clinical trial and encouraged to understand what stem cell treatment is and how it can help, be aware of safety concerns about the procedure, find what evidence there is of effectiveness, understand implications of a treatment which is still under investigation and know how to make an informed decision.

Increased demand for and availability of stem cell treatments in Australia, and the fact some patients have gone blind after stem cell treatments overseas - including some who thought they were participating in government-approved research - prompted the publication of the leaflet and RANZCO’s accompanying positioning statement.

RANZCO ophthalmologist Professor Stephanie Watson explains, “The potential of stem cells for treating a range of ocular disease is really very exciting. However, more research is required before we know the full impact of these treatments and how safe they are over the longer term. We recommend people only take part in clinical trials that have ethics approval and meet the standards of Australia’s regulatory body, the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Approved clinical trials will be registered on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and will monitor patients over time to assess the long-term safety and outcomes of treatment.”