Recruiting

Transplanting lab-grown eye cells to treat macular degeneration

Plain-English translation of NCT05445063 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2022 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Read our Macular Degeneration research guide →

Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a new approach to macular degeneration—a common eye disease that causes vision loss. Researchers will take a small sample of your cells, grow them into retinal pigment epithelium (special cells that support your retina) in a laboratory, and then transplant these cells back into your eye through a precise injection. The goal is to restore some of the vision lost to macular degeneration.

Current treatments for macular degeneration only work for some patients or stop working over time. This trial exists to see whether transplanting fresh, healthy cells grown from a patient's own body can repair the damaged eye tissue and improve vision in a way that existing treatments cannot.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 50 and 75 years old
you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration (either dry or wet type) affecting your central vision
your sight in the treated eye is between 0.05 and 0.3 (measurable but limited)
you have normal vision or treatable problems in your other eye
you are willing to commit to regular follow-up visits over the study period

You likely don't qualify if…

you have only one eye or cannot use your other eye for vision
you have other eye diseases besides macular degeneration, such as diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachment
you have serious health conditions like heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or severe lung disease
you have a history of cancer, an active infection (such as HIV or tuberculosis), or an immune system disorder
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, planning to become pregnant, or unwilling to use contraception during the study

What participation looks like

First, doctors will take a small tissue sample from you to grow your own retinal cells in the laboratory—this takes several weeks. Once the cells are ready, you will have a surgical procedure in which the treatment is injected into the back of your eye. After that, you will return for regular follow-up visits to monitor your eye health, vision, and any side effects. The study will closely track your safety and how well your vision improves over time.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Beijing Tongren Hospitol,Capital Medical University, Beijing, Beijing Municipality