Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 02, 2026 4 hours, 28 minutes ago
Medical News: A new clinical study has provided early but important insights into a novel treatment approach for degenerative retinal diseases, conditions that often lead to progressive and irreversible vision loss. Researchers have explored the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), derived from a patient’s own blood, as a potential supportive therapy aimed at preserving visual function and slowing disease progression.
Study finds PRP eye injections safe and potentially helpful in slowing retinal disease progression
A Growing Need for New Treatment Options
Degenerative retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen-like appearance (EMAP) continue to pose major clinical challenges. These disorders gradually damage the retina, leading to visual impairment that worsens over time. RP typically begins with night blindness and narrowing of peripheral vision, while EMAP is marked by rapid central vision loss due to severe macular damage.
Despite advances in genetic and regenerative medicine, most patients still lack broadly effective treatment options. This has driven interest in alternative therapies that may help protect retinal cells and maintain function.
Study Overview and Research Institutions
The study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team from the Rubens Siqueira Research Center in São José do Rio Preto, the Postgraduate Department of the Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), the Immunogenetics Laboratory at FAMERP, and the Criovida Cell Biotechnology Center of the Fleury Group in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
This prospective pilot study involved 13 patients, including 6 diagnosed with RP and 7 with EMAP. Each participant received three subtenon injections of PRP over a four-month period, with follow-up assessments extending to six months.
Understanding PRP and Its Potential Role
Platelet-rich plasma is a concentrated preparation of platelets containing growth factors and signaling molecules known to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation. When delivered near the eye, these bioactive components may influence the retinal environment by promoting cellular survival and modulating harmful inflammatory processes.
Unlike more invasive intraocular treatments, the subtenon injection technique allows gradual diffusion of these factors toward the retina while minimizing procedural risks.
Safety and Tolerability Findings
A key focus of the study was to determine whether repeated PRP injections are safe. The findings were reassuring. All participants completed the treatment protocol without serious complications or lasting harm.
Only two mild and temporary adverse events were reported: one case of eye inflammation and one instance of elevated intraocular pressure. Both were effectively managed and resolved without long-term effects.
These results indicate that subtenon PRP administration is feasible and well tolerated, supporting its potential use in future clinical trials.
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Functional and Structural Outcomes
Overall, visual acuity across the entire group remained stable over the six-month period. This is noteworthy given the progressive nature of these diseases.
In the subgroup of patients with retinitis pigmentosa, researchers observed a modest improvement in vision, equivalent to approximately 4 to 5 letters on a standard eye chart. However, this improvement was small and varied between individuals, and the study was not designed to confirm treatment effectiveness.
Patients with EMAP showed no measurable improvement but maintained stable vision throughout the study period. Considering the typically aggressive progression of EMAP, stabilization alone may represent a clinically meaningful outcome.
Additional assessments, including visual field testing and retinal imaging, supported the observation that there was no significant deterioration in retinal structure or function during the study.
Interpreting the Findings
This
Medical News report emphasizes that the observed effects should be considered exploratory. The study was designed primarily to evaluate safety rather than efficacy, and its small sample size limits the strength of conclusions.
The differing responses between RP and EMAP patients may be explained by the amount of remaining viable retinal tissue. In conditions where some functional cells are preserved, such as RP, there may be greater potential for therapeutic response. In contrast, advanced structural damage in EMAP limits the possibility of measurable improvement.
Conclusion
The findings from this early-stage clinical study suggest that subtenon PRP therapy is safe and well tolerated in patients with degenerative retinal diseases. While modest visual improvements were observed in some individuals with retinitis pigmentosa, the results remain preliminary and require confirmation in larger, controlled trials. Importantly, the apparent stabilization of vision in both disease groups highlights the potential of PRP as a supportive strategy aimed at slowing disease progression rather than reversing it. Continued research will be essential to determine its long-term benefits and clinical applicability.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biomedicines.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/14/5/1029
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