# Eye Cells Rejuvenated for First Time

> Scientists rejuvenate vision cells in people with glaucoma using reprogramming therapy.
- Title: Eye Cells Rejuvenated for First Time · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: Scientists rejuvenate vision cells in people with glaucoma using reprogramming therapy. Two people with glaucoma show improved vision after receiving…
- Keywords: life biosciences, glaucoma, retinal ganglion cells, reprogramming therapy, epigenetic noise, david sinclair, sharon rosenzweig-lipson, yamanaka factors, vitreous fluid, doxycycline, Eye, Cells
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/08/eye-cells-rejuvenated-for-the-first-time-in-people
- Author: Alice Park
- Published: 2026-10-08T19:20:04.556+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: life biosciences, glaucoma, retinal ganglion cells, reprogramming therapy, epigenetic noise, david sinclair, sharon rosenzweig-lipson, yamanaka factors, vitreous fluid, doxycycline
## First human trial
Three people received reprogramming therapy designed to rejuvenate vision cells for the first time in humans.
## FDA-approved reprogramming
The therapy uses three of four Yamanaka factors to reprogram retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma patients.
## Yamanaka's Nobel-winning work
Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka earned a Nobel Prize in 2012 for turning mature cells back to embryonic-like states.
## Retinal ganglion cells
Retinal ganglion cells connect the retina to the optic nerve and lose function in glaucoma due to fluid pressure.
## Therapy delivery
Scientists injected transcription factors into the vitreous fluid to reprogram damaged retinal ganglion cells.
## David Sinclair's theory
David Sinclair believes aging cells lose function due to epigenetic noise that disrupts cellular instructions.
## Three-year research
Graduate student Yuancheng Lu spent three years testing reprogramming with three factors before success.
## First mouse success
Lu sent Sinclair images of the first mouse with glaucoma that regenerated retinal connections after therapy.
## Human trial results
Two out of three glaucoma patients showed improved vision after eight weeks of reprogramming therapy.
## Next steps
Researchers plan to test higher doses to improve vision while maintaining safety through doxycycline.
## Potential applications
The therapy could help people with NAION, a vision loss condition similar to a stroke in the eye.
## Future research
Scientists aim to use reprogramming for other cells including brain, knee, back, and liver cells in animals.
## Key takeaway

Two people with glaucoma show improved vision after receiving reprogramming therapy that restores retinal ganglion cells.