Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in ocular degenerative disorders

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with their regenerative, anti‑inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, represent a promising therapeutic strategy for degenerative retinal diseases. Current treatments fail to address core pathologies-such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis-in conditions including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and glaucoma, underscoring the need for regenerative approaches. This review summarizes the signaling pathways through which MSCs and their exosomes promote tissue repair and neuroprotection in ocular disorders. It evaluates published preclinical and clinical data to outline the current therapeutic applications, efficacy, and safety profiles of MSC-based therapies in ophthalmology. MSC-based interventions show potential in alleviating key pathogenic processes in retinal degeneration. Clinical trials indicate their ability to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death, thereby supporting retinal cell survival and function. These benefits are primarily mediated through paracrine signaling via extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. MSCs constitute a significant advance toward retinal repair and functional restoration. However, translation of these findings is hindered by the lack of standardized and regulated treatment protocols. Future efforts should focus on establishing optimized delivery methods, safety standards, and a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms to bridge the gap between promising experimental outcomes and reliable clinical application.