Phase 1 Study of Intravitreal Autologous CD34+ Stem Cell Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa

Phase 1 Study of the Feasibility and Safety of Intravitreal Autologous Bone Marrow CD34+ Stem Cell Therapy for Eyes With Vision Loss From Retinitis Pigmentosa

In this Phase 1 open-labeled prospective study, one eye of each participant with vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa will be administered intravitreal injection of autologous CD34+ stem cells harvested from bone marrow. Each participant will be examined serially for 6 months after study injection to determine safety and feasibility of this intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age >18 years of age 2. Visual Acuity at Presentation of 20/100 to Counting Fingers or constriction of peripheral visual field 360 degrees to <10 degrees by perimetry if BCVA is better than 20/100, duration of vision loss > 3 months 3. Vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa 4. The study eye has the worse visual acuity or peripheral constriction. 14. Able and willing to sign consent 15. Able to keep follow-up appointments for at least 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other concurrent optic nerve or retinal disease in study eye affecting vision
2. History of active retinal or choroidal neovascularization or macular edema in study eye requiring on-going intravitreal or periocular therapy in study eye
3. Active eye or systemic infection
4. Significant media opacity in the study eye precluding view of the fundus for examination, photography or optical coherence tomography (OCT)

9. Other cause for vision loss in the study eye 10. History of coagulopathy or other hematologic abnormality 11. Use of coumadin within 3 days of enrollment 12. Concurrent immunosuppressive therapy 13. History of allergy to fluorescein dye