An eye patch made from human embryonic stem cells could treat a common cause of vision . Researchers at the University of California inserted stem - cell membranes into the eyes of four people with advanced dry macular disease , a leading cause of blindness . During a year , their eyesight either grew no worse or improved slightly . There are no embryonic stem-cell treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and most human studies of such therapies have shown unremarkable results. Researchers at the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London have developed a similar stem - cell patch for people with the wet form of macular degeneration . However , both studies were small , with no control groups , and the US Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve embryonic stem - cell treatments .
An eye patch made from human embryonic stem cells could treat a common cause of vision . Researchers at the University of California inserted stem - cell membranes into the eyes of four people with advanced dry macular disease , a leading cause of blindness . During a year , their eyesight either grew no worse or improved slightly . Researchers at the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London have developed a similar stem - cell patch for people with the wet form of macular degeneration . However , both studies were small , with no control groups , and the US Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve embryonic stem - cell treatments .