Bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC)
MD Stem Cells, a clinical research company using autologous bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC) in the treatment of retinal and optic nerve disease, published results from the Retinitis Pigmentosa cohort within their ongoing NIH registered Stem Cell Ophthalmology Study II (SCOTS2) clinical trial (NCT 03011541). Outcomes were encouraging with 45.5% of eyes showing an average of 7.9 lines of improvement (40.9% LogMAR improvement over baseline) and 45.5% of eyes showing stable acuity over the follow up. Results were statistically significant(p=0.016). Retinitis Pigmentosa continues to be treated and evaluated in the study. Argus retinal prosthesis
The Argus retinal prosthesis became the first approved treatment for the disease in February 2011, and is currently available in Germany, France, Italy, and the UK. Interim results on 30 patients long term trials were published in 2012. The Argus II retinal implant has also received market approval in the US. The device may help adults with RP who have lost the ability to perceive shapes and movement to be more mobile and to perform day-to-day activities. In June 2013, twelve hospitals in the US announced they would soon accept consultation for patients with RP in preparation for the launch of Argus II later that year. The Alpha-IMS is a subretinal implant involving the surgical implantation of a small image-recording chip beneath the optic fovea. Measures of visual improvements from Alpha-IMS studies require the demonstration of the devices safety before proceeding with clinical trials and granting market approval.
Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome  is a rare disorder that consists mainly of abnormal blood vessels affecting the skin or internal organs – usually the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is characterized by the presence of fluid-filled blisters (blebs) as visible, circumscribed, chronic lesions (nevi). BRBNS is caused by somatic mutations in the TEK (TIE2) gene. It was described by William Bennett Bean in 1958. Presentation
BRBNS is a venous malformation, formerly, though incorrectly, thought to be related to the hemangioma. It sometimes causes serious bleeding. Lesions are most commonly found on the skin and in the small intestine and distal large bowel. The lesions can also be found in the central nervous system, liver, and muscles. It usually presents soon after birth or during early infancy. Causes
The cause of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is currently unknown. The syndrome is considered sporadic. A patient who is diagnosed with BRBNS likely has a family history of other multifocal venous malformations which are a symptom of the disease. Autosomal inheritance of BRBNS has been found in familial cases associated with chromosome 9p, but the majority of cases are sporadic. The disease correlates with an onset of GI complications. It is reported that GI bleeding is the most common cause of death in most cases. Diagnosis
Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is difficult to diagnose because of how rare the disease is. Diagnosis is usually based on the presence of cutaneous lesions with or without gastrointestinal bleeding and/or involvement of other organs.