It has also been shown that fibroblasts [43], [60] and placenta-derived progenitor cells [43] are unable to maintain visual functions long-term, further indicating that the rescue effects seen in the RCS rat model are not the result of a non-specific event.
The BRB is thought to play an essential role in supplying nutrients to the neuroretina in order to maintain visual functions and in preventing leakage of macromolecules and other potentially harmful agents into the retina.
This study demonstrated that bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, when administrated intravenously, preserved both rod and cone photoreceptors, maintained visual function and limited vascular pathology.
The cross sectional data show that there can be remarkable functional preservation if the pathology spares the outer neurosensory retina that accommodates the process of phototransduction, highlighting the eminent importance of photoreceptor layer integrity for maintaining visual function [18], [19], [20].
Early diagnosis and treatment are important in maintaining visual function and preventing vision loss [ 4].
This in turn supports the notion that early intervention might be more effective and essential in enhancing or maintaining visual function.
Opsin level plasticity in females, and ommatidia size plasticity in males supported our visual plasticity hypothesis but males appear to maintain high visual function across both seasons.
Therefore, timely referral of patients for visual rehabilitation is crucial for maintaining good visual functioning and QoL.
The longer survival of transplanted FAP patients is by itself a risk factor for eye disease development and, therefore, all FAP patients, transplanted or not, require a life-long ophthalmologic follow-up with adjusted intervals to the different manifestations observed, in order to maintain an optimal visual function and a good quality of life provided by the liver transplantation.
Therefore, a timely diagnosis and treatment in patients with WMS is of vital importance to maintain and rescue their visual function.
