INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Most take vision for granted. It allows us to read, drive, and recognize faces. However, for people with a rare retinal disease called MacTel, that clear center vision can slowly disappear. Now, for the first time, there is a one-time, cell-based implant designed to slow vision loss and help people hold on to their independence.

Retirement was just another adventure for Yvette Crawley and her dog Riella Coconut, but then, her vision began to change.

“Things were not as sharp and not able to be corrected with my glasses. And I was like, something is not right,” she recalled.

What was happening was a rare, progressive eye disease known as MacTel.

“What it’s done is it creates a void in my visi...