CB-PRP in Retinitis Pigmentosa and Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration

All patients underwent genetic evaluation and they reported different types of mutations that induce anatomic-functional impairment of the rods.

Patients affected by bilateral dry age-related macular degeneration (Geographic type) will be recruited as well.

After selecting the patients to be enrolled, the study will proceed with the vitrectomy surgery and subretinal injection of umbilical cord blood platelet-rich plasma (CB-PRP) provided by the Umbilical Cord Bank according to the procedures provided for by the current legislation on blood components for non-transfusion use.

A complete ophthalmological examination will be performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. They will include:

• Anterior segment biomicroscopy
• direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy
• ETDRS visual acuity assessment
• intraocular pressure measurement
• optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• OCT Angiography (OCTA)

The following assessments will be performed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months.

• Microperimetry
• Electroretinogram (ERG)
• Visually evoked potential (VEP)
• contrast sensitivity (MARS tables)
• Goldmann perimetry

Some morpho-functional data will also be collected in the contralateral eye and used as the control group.

To ensure the best safety for the patient, the first 5 eyes will be separated by a minimum of 20 days in order to observe the post-surgical evolution.

Inclusion criteria

• Retinal dystrophies with compromised rods (only for RP patients)
• Visual Field (Manual Goldmann) V / 4e < 30 ° (only for RP patients)
• Best corrected visual acuity > Light perception
• Known genotype
• No or minimal opacity of ocular media
• No concomitant ocular (eg glaucoma, amblyopia)
• Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (Geographic type)

Exclusion criteria

• Age<18 years
• Pregnancy
• Previous inflammatory / infectious events involving the eyes