Optic nerve hypoplasia is a medical condition present from birth in which the optic nerves in the eyes have failed to develop properly. One or both eyes can be affected and can cause problems with vision.
Stem cells are produced in the bone marrow. They are immature cells that have the potential to self-generate themselves into many different cell types in the body. Autologus stem cell therapy is when the patients own stem cells are used to treat the condition. Bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are collected from the patient and then frozen and stored until they are needed. Alternatively, the stem cells originate from a donor, this is the allongenic approach.
The stem cells are the transplanted back into the patient. They can then self-generate themselves into new cells to replace the ones that have not developed properly. This should help to improve vision for the patient.