Stem cell research has been a hot topic in the news lately. Some of the latest research indicates potential help for eye diseases that have been considered incurable, such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Optic Neuropathy.
Although treatments are being tested in the US, the FDA has not approved any specific therapies yet. When/If you hear of a stem cell treatment for your particular eye condition, make sure to consider a few important questions:
- Is it FDA approved?
- If not approved yet, is it part of an FDA approved Clinical Trial?
- What (if anything) will my insurance cover? Treatments not approved by the FDA are typically not covered by insurance.
- Is traveling outside the USA to get treatment worthwhile or is it better to wait for the technology to improve first?
Keep an eye on the news and an ear to the ground, as we do here at Milwaukee Eye Care, to find out more in the future as research results unfold in the coming years!
Written by Bart W., Technician with Milwaukee Eye Care
