Another important area of research being studied is cell transplantation. When we talk about the retina again we are talking about cells and cell layers. We are also talking about the inter-connection between layers of cells. 

In cell transplantation, people often ask, "Can the diseased cells be replaced with new cells?" The two main types of cells involved in the retina are the photo-receptor cells and the retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE cells). Many of the questions being asked in research of cell transplantation are, "Can healthy cells be transferred into the proper area of the retina, and then will the cells survive?" This would apply both for the type of cells for the RPE layer and also for the photo-receptor cells, which are basically two different kinds of cells.

Preliminary research seems to indicate that healthy cells can be transplanted into the proper area of the retina and it seems as though they will survive. The next important question to be answered is, "Will these cells work?" The answer to that question has not been answered as of yet. Also questions regarding whether these cells connect or hook up to the cells surrounding it still remains an important question.

If there were a proper connection of new cells in this layer of the retina, that is, do the signals then from these new cells connect in order to reach the brain? And if these signals were to reach the brain properly, does it actually improve vision; does the person actually see better? The answers to these important questions are uncertain at this time. It is good to know that in one situation in research, that of an animal using what is called an RCS rat, the answer to all the above questions seems to be "yes". That is, in this animal that has a damaged tissue layer of RPE cells, new cells that are transplanted into this area seem to help the retina to survive. Also, optimistic are the preliminary indications that the animal seems to behave as if it sees better from having had their treatment. As much of this type of research continues around the world and seems to be very promising, it does not seem as though that this will render a cure or a partial cure in the near future. After all, what we are truly talking about are the inner connections between the retina and the brain. This is why it has been so difficult to come up with a cure for retina diseases as the inner connection with the brain makes it much more difficult to get the proper signals to hook up. It is not simply like transplanting an organ but making proper connections in the brain. 

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