Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II (SCOTS 2)
SCOTS remains the only stem cell clinical study for eye diseases with published, statistically significant results demonstrating potential therapeutic benefit.
Ongoing peer-reviewed publications continue to strengthen the evidence base, incorporating rigorous statistical analysis of patient outcomes from both the original SCOTS trial and the expanded SCOTS II study. These results highlight meaningful clinical improvements in select retinal and optic nerve disorders.
What is the actual treatment?
Patients typically receive two separate injections of autologous, bone marrow-derived stem cells for each affected eye, followed by an intravenous infusion of the same stem cells. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at ParkCreek Surgery Center, under general or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) provided by board-certified anesthesiologists. Bone marrow aspiration is a well-tolerated, low-discomfort procedure performed by our board-certified orthopedic surgeon.
All ocular treatments are administered by a board-certified and fellowship-trained retinal surgeon. A minimum stay of three nights in the area is required—one for preoperative evaluation, one for the procedure, and one for postoperative follow-up. Patients may travel home the day after surgery, and flying is generally permitted. The total cost of treatment is typically USD $19,600, though it may reach USD $21,600 for the most complex cases. Full clinical details are available at www.clinicaltrials.gov, study ID NCT03011541.