Recruiting

Transplanting insulin-producing cells into the eye for diabetes

Plain-English translation of NCT02846571 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1/2 — A combined trial that checks safety and dosing while also starting to look at whether the treatment works.

What is this trial?

This is an early-stage trial testing a new surgical approach: transplanting pancreatic islet cells (the cells that naturally produce insulin) into the anterior chamber of the eye — the clear front part of the eye. Rather than relying on insulin injections, the transplanted cells would produce insulin naturally inside your body. The hope is that this treatment could help control blood sugar levels more steadily and reduce the complications of diabetes.

Currently, people with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin multiple times a day or use a pump, but insulin injections cannot perfectly match the body's natural insulin release, leading to dangerous swings in blood sugar. This trial explores whether transplanting living insulin-producing cells could provide a more natural and stable source of insulin, potentially improving blood sugar control and quality of life.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 75 years old
you have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
you have at least one eye that has lost most or all of its vision (from hand motion to no light perception)
you have stable kidney function (or a stable transplanted kidney, if applicable)
you are mentally stable and able to follow study procedures and take medications as prescribed
you are able to use effective contraception during the study and for 4 months after it ends (if female, you must not be pregnant or breastfeeding; if male, you must agree not to father a child during this time)

You likely don't qualify if…

your blood sugar control is very poor (HbA1c above 10%)
your blood pressure is consistently high (systolic above 160 or diastolic above 100)
your kidney function is significantly reduced below a certain threshold
you have a history of severe eye problems in the surgery eye, such as uncontrolled glaucoma, active inflammation inside the eye, corneal clouding, or silicone in the front of the eye from prior retina surgery
you have a known allergy to steroid eye drops or immunosuppressive medications like cyclosporine or tacrolimus (which you would need to take after transplant)

What participation looks like

If accepted, you would undergo a surgical procedure to receive the transplanted insulin-producing cells in your blind eye's anterior chamber. After surgery, you would need to take immunosuppressive medications (to prevent your body from rejecting the transplant) and attend regular follow-up visits to monitor how well the cells are working and check for any side effects. The study lasts approximately 24 months, during which your blood sugar levels, eye health, and overall health would be monitored closely.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 4, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

United States

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida

Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida