Stem cell therapy for macular degeneration costs in Colombia are budget-friendly at $4,000 to $12,000. The same procedures in the United States can cost up to $50,000. This huge price gap makes Colombia’s age-related dry macular degeneration treatment an excellent choice for patients who want to restore their vision abroad.
Colombian medical centers provide these cutting-edge regenerative medicine treatments at prices 50-70% lower than U.S. and European clinics. The quality remains top-notch. Each patient gets detailed medical evaluations, high-dose stem cell injections, and thorough post-treatment care in their treatment package.
This piece covers everything about AMD stem cell treatment at Regencord. You’ll find detailed cost breakdowns, treatment steps, and what results to expect on the macular degeneration timeline. We explain both dry and wet AMD approaches and share ground patient experiences and success stories.
“Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into different cell types, which makes them potentially useful for repairing damaged tissue in the eye.” — Global Stem Cell Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy Provider
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) damages the macula, which sits at the center of your retina and helps you see clearly. This eye disease mostly affects people over 50. Research shows that 10-20% of people above 65 have AMD. Scientists have found that 196 million people around the world live with AMD, and this number could reach 288 million by 2040.
AMD causes gradual loss of central vision caused by degeneration of tissue in the macula, though side vision usually stays normal. The macula’s damage leads to problems with face recognition, reading, and driving. Several factors increase your risk:
People who don't get treatment gradually lose their ability to see fine details and struggle with everyday tasks that need central vision.
Stem cell treatments show great promise to help AMD patients by targeting the root causes of damage. AMD hurts two essential types of cells:
Scientists can turn stem cells into these specific retinal cell types to replace damaged ones. These cells also release substances that help repair struggling cells. Tests using stem cell-derived RPE cells look promising and safe, especially for dry AMD treatment.
The best method uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). Doctors take the patient's blood cells and reprogram them into stem cells. These cells then become retinal cells, which reduces the chance of rejection.
Dry AMD accounts for about 80% of all cases. The macula thins and protein deposits called drusen build up under the retina. In advanced stages, RPE cells die off, causing geographic atrophy.
Wet AMD accounts for 10-20% of cases but leads to 90% of AMD-related blindness. Abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak both fluid and blood, a process known as choroid neovascularization.
Each type needs different stem cell treatments:
Recent clinical trials bring hope for both AMD types. Transplanted cells survive in patients' eyes and improve vision without major complications.
Regencord’s complete approach to AMD stem cell treatment starts with a full evaluation process and continues through individual-specific aftercare. Their state-of-the-art facilities and experienced medical team have treated over 5,000 patients in the last 11 years. About 95% of patients report positive outcomes with zero serious adverse effects.
Patients at Regencord go through a detailed medical check to determine their eligibility for AMD stem cell therapy. Medical teams perform a complete eye examination, review medical history, and run specific tests to assess macular damage. Their specialists in genetics, biotechnology, and pharmacology bring over 30 years of collective experience. The team discusses treatment options, benefits, and risks with each patient in detail before getting informed consent.
Regencord's scientific medical board develops an individual-specific treatment plan after assessment. Each plan takes into account whether patients have dry or wet AMD, progression stage, and other health factors. Regencord focuses on customizing protocols for individual cases rather than using one-size-fits-all approaches.
Regencord stands out by producing stem cells in its own laboratory. They maintain strict quality control standards (ISO 9001, ISO 13022, and ISO 22859). The medical team administers stem cells through one of several methods based on the treatment plan:
Most procedures take just hours to complete on an outpatient basis. Staff monitors the patient's vital signs throughout the process.
Regencord provides complete follow-up care after treatment. Staff observes patients before discharge to ensure stability and comfort. A post-treatment protocol has these key steps:
Patients receive guidance about expected recovery timelines and realistic expectations for vision improvements. Most patients see initial improvements within 6 weeks, and progress continues over 4-6 months.
The cost of AMD stem cell treatment changes based on your healthcare provider and location. Patients need this cost information to make smart choices about their vision care.
The core cost of AMD stem cell therapy ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 when using expanded cell products. Specialized clinics charge between $10,400 and $20,000 for a single stem cell procedure to treat eye conditions. Your base package usually covers the first consultation, stem cell extraction or preparation, the procedure itself, and early monitoring after treatment.
Your type of AMD plays a big role in the final price. Dry AMD might need different treatment approaches than wet AMD, which affects the cost. The source of stem cells also changes the price – whether they use autologous stem cells (from your own body) or from donors (allogeneic).
Patients should plan for extra costs beyond the main treatment:
Some clinics offer complete packages that include these extra services, though the total cost remains high.
Most insurance providers don't cover AMD stem cell therapies. The FDA sees these treatments as experimental outside-approved clinical trials. Patients usually pay the full amount themselves.
Many clinics help manage these costs through payment plans or financing options. Monthly payments range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the total treatment cost. Some facilities even help arrange medical tourism to reduce overall expenses.
Treatment costs vary greatly by location:
These price differences result from varying regulatory rules, operating costs, and market competition rather than treatment quality. Patients looking at international options should research clinic credentials to ensure they match the safety standards of higher-priced locations.
“More than 90% of our patients obtained positive results, and 0% of them have experienced serious adverse events.” — Regencord, Stem Cell Therapy Center in Pereira, Colombia
Patient results after AMD stem cell treatment show different outcomes, but clinical data in many studies point to some encouraging patterns.
Vision changes start showing up in most patients within 3 months after treatment. Vision stabilizes first before it gets better. The biggest improvements usually happen between 3-12 months after the procedure. Studies that tracked patients for 12 months found that people who got retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells showed better vision during this time. Some patients’ vision keeps getting better even after the first year, as shown by studies that watched outcomes for up to five years.
Studies show that vision improves at different rates based on AMD type and severity. In some trials, about 88% of dry AMD patients who received stem cell treatment saw their vision improve or stay stable. Wet AMD patients had better results when doctors completely removed abnormal blood vessels before the stem cell transplant.
The results look promising, but patients need to keep their expectations realistic. Studies show that results depend on:
Early-stage clinical trial participants usually get checked for more than 5 years, which shows how important long-term monitoring is. Doctors remind us that stem cell therapy can help, but each person responds differently, and vision might improve slowly rather than all at once.
Stem cell treatment for AMD shows remarkable progress in vision recovery, especially when you have specialized centers like Regencord. Studies show great results—88% of patients either improve their vision or keep it stable. Base treatments cost between $15,000 – $30,000, which is nowhere near the $50,000 price tag in the U.S.
Patient success stories definitely verify this treatment’s potential. The best results come from treating the disease early. Most patients see changes within 3-12 months after treatment, though results differ based on AMD type, severity, and treatment method.
Places like Colombia offer huge cost savings while meeting quality standards. Notwithstanding that, patients should review more than just prices. They need to check insurance limits, verify facility credentials and set realistic recovery goals to achieve successful treatment outcomes.
Stem cell therapy keeps advancing and brings hope to AMD patients who want their vision back. Current results look promising, but the largest longitudinal study over 5+ years shows patients need consistent monitoring and proper medical supervision throughout their recovery trip.
Explore your options for advanced AMD treatment today. Contact Regencord to learn more about cutting-edge stem cell therapies and take the first step toward restoring your vision.
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Stem cells are unique cells with the ability to develop into various cell types and repair damaged tissues. They are used in regenerative medicine, including treatments for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and injuries. Sources include bone marrow, cord blood, and embryos.
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