Japanese researchers advance stem cell therapy to repair retinal damage in monkeys

Japanese researchers have made progress in using human stem cell transplants to treat macular holes in the retina, which can cause blurred vision. Their study showed success in closing a hole in a monkey's retina, suggesting potential for human treatment. The research, published in *Stem Cell Reports*, demonstrated that the transplanted stem cells developed light-detecting retinal cells. This led to improved light responses in the monkey, indicating a possible advancement in treating vision issues related to macular holes. Despite initial challenges, including mild transplant rejection, the team believes this method could offer a safe and effective option for difficult cases. However, experts caution that results in animals do not always translate to humans.