The present invention provides a method for treating retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) and related retinopathic diseases. The method comprises administeringto the retina of a mammal suffering from, or at risk of developing, retinopathyof prematurity or a related retinopathic disease an amount of cells from a vasculotrophiclineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population, effective to promotebeneficial physiological revascularization of damaged areas of the retinaand to ameliorate damage to the retina caused by the disease. Preferably, themammal is a human patient. In one preferred embodiment, the lineage negativehematopoietic stem cell population is a lineage negative hematopoietic stemcell population comprising hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitorcells (i.e., Lin– HSC). In another preferred embodiment, the lineagenegative hematopoietic stem cell population is an isolated myeloid-like bonemarrow (MLBM) cell population in which the majority of the cells are lineage negativeand express CD44 antigen and CD11b antigen. As an alternative, for treatmentof newborn infants, a lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population canbe isolated from umbilical cord vein blood.
