Photoreceptor transplantation in retinitis pigmentosa: short-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the use of adult human photoreceptor transplantation as a treatment for advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP).


METHODS
Prospective noncomparative case series.


METHODS
Eight patients with advanced RP.


METHODS
Transplantation of adult human cadaver photoreceptor sheets harvested with the excimer laser. No immunosuppression was used postoperatively. Patients were followed for 12 months postoperatively.


METHODS
Visual acuity and retinal function measured by psychophysical, electrophysiologic, and clinical testing.


RESULTS
Best-corrected visual acuity (Bailey-Lovie chart), median reading speed, contrast sensitivity, and visual fields for the operated eye were not statistically significantly improved postoperatively. The amplitude and latency of the maculoscope electroretinogram, as well as the log threshold for dark adaptation, did not change between the operated and control (unoperated) eye. There was no detectable homograft reaction on slit-lamp biomicroscopy or fluorescein angiography. The only adverse effect observed was one patient who complained of monocular diplopia after retinal transplantation and subsequent cataract surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Allogeneic adult human photoreceptor transplantation is feasible in RP but was not associated with rescue of central vision or a delay in visual loss. However, any possible slowing in the rate of retinal degeneration will take many years to determine.
Berger
Adam S
AS
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Tezel
Tongalp H
TH
Del Priore
Lucian V
LV
Kaplan
Henry J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000637:transplantation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology