A study conducted at Southwest Eye Hospital in China involving patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) demonstrated that surgical removal of choroidal neovascularization prior to human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium cell transplantation may improve safety and effectiveness. The study reported successful choroidal neovascularization removal without bleeding in most patients. However, intraoperative bleeding and incomplete removal were associated with an increased risk of inflammation and choroidal neovascularization recurrence. The study highlighted the importance of close adhesion of the choroidal neovascularization to the underlying tissue as a significant surgical risk factor and emphasized the need for careful evaluation of patients with close adhesions.

Source: Stem Cell Reports