·Age - related
macular degeneration ( ARMD ) and Stargardt's
macular dystrophy ( SMD ) are two kinds of degenerative
retinal diseases that respectively
lead to irreversible
vision loss of the
elderly and juvenile
population. However, the severe
visual impairment in dry ARMD and SMD remains untreatable. In recent years, with the advancement of
stem cell technology,
stem cell-derived RPE
cell transplantation therapy of
retinal degeneration has become new
research hotspot and direction. This article reviewed the progress of
stem cell based approaches for treating
retinal degenerative
diseases and discussed the prospect and challenges in this field.