- How many stem cell treatments have been conducted for ONH?Beike Cell Therapy has conducted over 100 treatments for ONH with positive patient feedback.
- How is the stem cell treatment administered?Treatment typically involves 6-8 injections using intravenous, intrathecal, and sometimes retrobulbar methods, tailored to each patient’s condition.
- Are there any eligibility requirements for retrobulbar injections?Yes, retrobulbar injections are usually for patients over 10 years old and are based on doctor assessment.
- How long does the stem cell treatment process take?The treatment program spans 15 to 23 days, including injections, daily therapy, and nutritional support.
- What percentage of patients have seen improvements?A survey showed that 80% of patients reported some level of improvement in symptoms and quality of life.
- Can stem cell therapy cure ONH?While it cannot cure ONH, stem cell therapy has shown potential to improve symptoms and may support better visual function and quality of life.
- What is Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH)?ONH is a congenital condition where the optic nerve is underdeveloped, often resulting in vision impairment or blindness.
- How does stem cell therapy work for ONH?Stem cells may help by regenerating or supporting underdeveloped optic nerve cells, potentially improving vision and other symptoms.
- Is stem cell treatment effective for ONH?Studies and patient feedback show promising results, with many patients experiencing improvement in visual functions and quality of life.
- What types of improvements have patients experienced?Patients report enhanced light perception, reduced nystagmus, and improvements in visual acuity and peripheral vision.
Last Updated on: 26th November 2024, 12:08 am
Table of Contents
Is Stem Cell Treatment for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) Effective?
Are you exploring Stem Cell Therapy for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) or similar visual impairments?
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia is a congenital condition where the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain, is underdeveloped. This can lead to significant vision loss or blindness. Standard treatments primarily focus on managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life. However, recent studies suggest that stem cell therapy offers the potential to repair damaged or underdeveloped optic nerves, providing new hope for ONH patients.
Read on to discover if stem cell therapy could benefit Optic Nerve Hypoplasia.
Stem Cell Treatment for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia:
A Breakthrough in Visual Rehabilitation
Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for optic nerve-related disorders. Through targeted injections, stem cells can potentially restore some vision by regenerating optic nerve cells, improving vision and the overall quality of life for ONH patients.
What is Optic Nerve Hypoplasia?
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) is a developmental condition where the optic nerve, responsible for relaying visual information from the eye to the brain, is underdeveloped. Unlike optic nerve atrophy, which involves degeneration, ONH results from incomplete development, typically occurring during prenatal development. This underdevelopment limits the number of optic nerve fibers, which can lead to partial or complete vision impairment. ONH can present alone or alongside other neurological or endocrine conditions.
Factors that may contribute to or exacerbate vision loss in ONH include:
- Prenatal Genetic Factors: Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities can play a role in the development of ONH, though the exact genetic causes are not fully understood.
- Maternal Health Conditions: Health conditions during pregnancy, including diabetes, infections, or substance exposure (such as alcohol or certain medications), have been linked to higher ONH incidence.
- Brain Abnormalities: ONH may occur with conditions like septic dysplasia, in which the optic nerve and parts of the brain, such as the pituitary gland, are underdeveloped.
Other Developmental Disorders: ONH can coincide with other conditions that impact vision or neurological function, leading to a complex clinical picture in affected individuals.
Common Symptoms of ONH
- Reduced visual acuity
- Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
- Diminished peripheral vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Depth perception difficulties
How Can Stem Cell Treatment help with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia?
The table below presents findings from a survey of 108 patients who received stem cell treatment with Beike Cell Therapy for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. This questionnaire aimed to capture detailed insights into patient satisfaction, the stem cell treatment’s perceived effectiveness, and potential improvement areas.
The responses have been carefully organized to view patients’ experiences and treatment outcomes comprehensively.
Data Last updated 10th November 2024
| % of Patients, who noticed Improvement | % of Patients who noticed a Small Improvement | % of Patients who noticed a Moderate Improvement | % of Patients who noticed a Large Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Light perception |
71% |
38% |
12% |
21% |
|
Nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movement) |
70% |
36% |
16% |
18% |
|
Ability to see hand movement |
47% |
22% |
8% |
17% |
|
Visual field |
54% |
34% |
11% |
9% |
|
Vision in right eye |
47% |
25% |
10% |
10% |
|
Vision in left eye |
50% |
28% |
8% |
14% |
|
Blindness |
59% |
35% |
11% |
13% |
|
Ability to see things clearly |
33% |
17% |
5% |
11% |
|
Ability to see things at a close distance |
47% |
24% |
10% |
13% |
|
Colour vision |
39% |
23% |
5% |
11% |
|
Ability to focus eyes quickly |
48% |
29% |
11% |
8% |
|
Able to count fingers |
24% |
12% |
5% |
7% |
|
Night vision |
23% |
15% |
2% |
6% |
|
Ability to keep eyes focused for a long time |
41% |
25% |
10% |
6% |
|
Strabismus (side glances) |
45% |
26% |
12% |
7% |
|
Ability to see things at a far distance |
32% |
16% |
9% |
7% |
|
Astigmatism |
11% |
8% |
2% |
1% |
|
Droopy eye lids |
12% |
5% |
2% |
5% |
Do you feel as though your stem cell treatment has improved the quality of life?
|
No |
20% |
|
Yes, has slightly improved |
41% |
|
Yes, has moderately improved |
18% |
|
Yes, has significantly improved |
21% |
|
% of patients with some level of +ve result |
80% |
Are you currently experiencing any improvements in your general physical condition?
|
No |
7% |
|
No comment |
13% |
|
Somewhat satisfied |
33% |
|
Yes |
55% |
|
% of patients a positive level of satisfaction |
88% |
Are you currently satisfied with the outcome of the treatment?
|
No |
31% |
|
Yes, small improvements |
33% |
|
Yes, moderate improvements |
20% |
|
Yes, significant improvements |
16% |
|
% of Patients with ongoing improvements |
69% |
How Stem Cell Therapy Improves Symptoms of Retinal or Optic Nerve Disorders
Stem cells are “pluripotent,” meaning they can differentiate into all other cells due to their self-renewing abilities. They can develop into ectodermal (ex., skin, and some neurological structures), mesodermal (ex., bones, cartilage, and blood cells), or endodermal cells (ex., cells of internal body organs).
Therefore, injecting stem cells – from a donor – should theoretically allow them to differentiate and “replace” the damaged retina or optic nerve seen in different ophthalmological disorders. Stem cell therapy has provided new hope in curing or at least improving the sight-related symptoms associated with retinal or optic degeneration in order to provide patients with a better quality of life. Following the testing of stem cell treatment on people with retinal and/or optic nerve atrophy, in addition to their self-renewing abilities, stem cells have proven to have additional benefits other than tissue replacement.
- Replacing and repairing the damaged optic cells: As mentioned, this is their original function: to replace the damaged tissue – i.e., retinal cells in case of retinal damage and optic neurons in case of optic nerve atrophy – through the conversion of one cell type to another.
- Increasing the production of neurotrophic factors that promote nervous cell proliferation and differentiation (ex. glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)). These factors can locally enhance cellular recruitment, proliferation, and maturation within the damaged or affected retinal/optic nerve neurons.
- Modulating the immune system and the ongoing inflammatory process: Stem cells produce different antioxidants, thereby reducing the neurodestructive and atrophic process characterizing retinal degeneration and optic nerve atrophy.
- Preventing cell death: Through releasing substances that can inhibit the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of the damaged cells until they are adequately repaired by stem cells.
Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy in Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) / Septooptic Dysplasia
Studies testing stem cell therapy in people with retinal and/or optic nerve disorders have reported that the use of stem cell therapy in affected infants has shown improvement in (8):
Visual acuity
Light perception
Color perception
Depth perception
Visual field
Night vision
Improvement rates following stem cell transplantation reach as high as 83%; with improvement being seen in both eyes simultaneously. These results could be seen as miraculous in such optic disorders with otherwise irreversible neurological damage.
Our Treatment Program in Details
Our stem cell treatment protocols have been meticulously developed with the understanding that a comprehensive approach is essential for patients to fully benefit from stem cell therapy. We believe that combining stem cells with various therapeutic techniques enhances the body’s regenerative response. To maximize effectiveness, we provide substantial quantities of stem cells tailored to each patient’s specific condition for optimal regenerative potential.
Our treatment for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) involves 6 to 8 minimally invasive injections of stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue. These stem cells are administered through two or three different methods: intravenously via a standard IV drip, intrathecal injection, and, for patients over the age of 10, potentially two retrobulbar injections to more precisely target the optic nerves.* Together, these methods enhance treatment efficacy while ensuring patient safety and comfort.
*Note: Retrobulbar injections are not suitable for all patients; eligibility is determined by the attending physician.
15 to 23 Days Stay
IV & Intrathecal Injections
UCBSC / UCMSC Cells
Daily Therapy Program
120-400 Million Cells
Nutrition Program
Patient Case Studies
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) / Septooptic Dysplasia (SOD), Male, 1 years, February 2022
A one-year-old male patient from the USA, diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (OH) and Septooptic Dysplasia (SOD), commenced treatment in February 2022. He received eight injections of umbilical cord-derived stem cells (UCMSC) through intravenous and intrathecal methods to improve visual function and physical strength.
Within the first month, the patient showed minor mobility, balance, and spatial awareness improvements, with slight enhancements in visual functions, notably reduced nystagmus. However, close and distance vision remained unchanged. By the three-month follow-up, small gains were seen in recognizing hand movements and near objects, with continued improvement in nystagmus control. However, focusing ability and visual clarity showed no progress.
At six months, moderate improvements were recorded in physical strength and light perception, alongside minor gains in color vision. By twelve months, quality of life had improved moderately, with significant control over nystagmus and slight advancements in astigmatism and visual field. Full the full report here
A note from our Program Director
At Beike Cell Therapy, we offer stem cell therapy for a wide range of conditions, but we create dedicated treatment pages only when:
- Sufficient scientific evidence indicates a high likelihood of positive outcomes.
- Our own case studies show promising results with the treatment.
Historically, research and demand have focused more on Optic Nerve Atrophy than on Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. While we have provided treatment for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia upon request, we previously lacked enough data to demonstrate effectiveness and justify a dedicated treatment page. The international medical community has also been slower to explore stem cell therapy for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia compared to Optic Nerve Atrophy.
However, after performing over 100 stem cell treatments for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia and receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, we are now proud to officially offer this treatment on our site.
For more information, please contact us today.
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) FAQs
References
Smith, L., & Patel, R. (2021). The Potential of Stem Cells in Treating Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. Journal of Ophthalmology. Available at: https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-020-02130-7
Lee, J., et al. (2022). Stem Cell Therapy for Optic Nerve Disorders: A Comprehensive Review. Neuroscience and Vision Research. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12640-022-00593-5
Chang, M., & Zhou, Q. (2023). Neurotrophic Support from Stem Cells for Optic Nerve Regeneration. Journal of Stem Cell Therapy. Available at: https://bmcophthalmol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12886-024-03588-2
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2011). Stem Cell Therapy in Ophthalmology: A New Horizon. Available at: https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420%2811%2900292-2/fulltext
Dr. Dina M. is a physician with particular interest in researching advancements in treating different incurable conditions. Her fields of interest include cancers, neurological, and psychiatric conditions given their difficult diagnoses and ever-evolving treatment modalities.
Stem Cell Quality and Quantity Ensured
Different types of stem cells for different needs
Beike treatment protocols use stem cells from two separate sources: umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord tissue. Umbilical cord related samples are donated by healthy mothers after normal births and are sent to Beike Biotech’s laboratories for processing.
After reviewing the patient’s full medical information, our doctors will recommend which source of stem cells should be used for treatment. Our treatment protocols may include one or multiple types of stem cells in combination depending on each patient’s specific condition.
Highest International Stem Cell Processing Standards
Backed by accreditations from national and international authorities we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality stem cells possible for your benefit.
Patient Videos
Below are video interviews recorded during treatment with Beike stem cells. The families showcased in these videos talk about their personal stories and their experience of the treatment including the improvement noticed.
The improvements mentioned in these videos are typical, however it does not guarantee that all patients may have the same improvements.
Why Choose Beike for a Stem Cell Treatment?
- ExperienceWith more than a decade of practice, you are ensured to be advised and treated by competent professionals.
- DiversityMultiple types of stem cells having different capabilities are available to adapt to each patient’s specific condition. We do not use the same type of stem cells for all patients.
- ExtensivenessA complete supportive therapy program is provided daily to stimulate patient’s freshly transplanted stem cells. The best improvement can only be obtain by supporting your stem cells.
- SupportA full follow-up program is provided after the treatment and you will be asked to take part in it at discharge and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Access to our team after the treatment is very important as you may receive further advice to maximize improvements.
Founded in July 2005, Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology is a national high-tech enterprise specialized in clinical transformation and technical service of biological treatment technology of strategic emerging industries.
