Abstract: The invention provides methods of using isolated monocyte populations to treat subjects suffering from various ocular vascular disease or ocular degenerative disorders. The present invention also provides novel methods for isolating substantially pure monocyte populations. The methods involve extracting a blood sample or a bone marrow sample from a subject, debulking red blood cells from the sample, and then separating remaining red blood cells and other cell types in the sample from monocytes. Instead of using any selection or labeling agents, the red blood cells and other cell types are separated from monocytes based on their size, granularity or density. The isolated monocytes can be further activated in vitro or ex vivo prior to being administered to a subject. Isolated cell populations containing substantially pure CD14+/CD33+ monocytes are also provided in the invention.