Clinics provide stem cell treatment with bogus claims
Procedure for macular degeneration is not approved by Indian Council of Medical Research
Unapproved centres providing stem cell treatment for age-related macular degeneration is putting the health of patients at risk. These centres claim complete restoration of vision but there have been mixed results in clinical trials.
The procedure is still far from approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research for general use and is being tried and tested at a few select approved centres in major cities.
The claims made by unapproved centres came to light when patients who were offered this treatment opted for a second opinion from other renowned eye centres, and found that stem cell treatment was not standard procedure.
Patients who come from far away districts are often coaxed into believing that the vision will be completely restored after this treatment, but it is not so.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in those above 60 years of age. Age, diet, sunlight, smoking and genes are responsible for AMD, affecting women more than men.
Dr Raja Narayanan, chief of clinical research and consultant for Vitreo Retinal Diseases at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, said, “Stem cell treatment for AMD has not reached a stage where it can be performed with a certain degree of success. It is not an approved treatment for standard use. In advanced stages of AMD injections are recommended.”
In practice, it has been found that patients and their families get so desperate for a cure that they are willing to try these treatments and unapproved centres take advantage of this.
Dr Kasu Prasad Reddy, senior eye surgeon for cataract and refractive errors, explained, “Many clinics offering stem cell treatments make claims that they can restore the vision completely. But that is not so. They do not have the current understanding to stem cell science.” He said the treatment was for the surface of the eye but not in clinical practice of management of AMD.
PATIENTS WHO come from far away districts are often coaxed to believing that the vision will be completely restored after this treatment but it is not so.