Engineered Stem Cells Help Restore Vision in Patients with Cornea Damage
Scientists at Mass Eye and Ear have developed a new stem cell treatment called CALEC that could help people with serious eye injuries. This method involves taking healthy stem cells from one eye and using them to heal the other eye’s damaged cornea. In a recent clinical trial, this treatment helped restore the cornea’s surface in 14 patients over 18 months.
What is the Cornea and Why is it Important?
The cornea is the clear, outer layer of the eye. It helps focus light so we can see clearly. Surrounding the cornea is the limbus, which contains special stem cells known as limbal epithelial cells. These cells keep the cornea smooth and healthy.
These stem cells can be destroyed if someone injures their eye — like from a chemical burn or infection. When that happens, the cornea can’t heal itself. Standard corneal transplants won’t work because the eye no longer has the cells needed to support healing.
How does this stem cell therapy work?
- Collect stem cells: Doctors take a small sample of stem cells from the healthy eye.
- Grow more cells: These cells are multiplied in a lab for two to three weeks.
- Transplant: The new stem cells are then placed onto the injured eye through surgery.
Results of the Clinical Trial
- After 3 months, 50% of patients saw their cornea fully restored.
- By 12 months, that number rose to 79%.
- At 18 months, 77% had complete success, with an overall success rate of over 90%.
- All patients experienced some level of vision improvement.
The trial also showed the procedure is safe, with only one case of a minor infection due to contact lens use. There were no serious side effects.
What’s Next?
Currently, CALEC is still experimental and not yet available to the public. Researchers hope to expand the treatment by using stem cells from donor eyes, which would allow it to help patients with damage in both eyes.
More trials are needed before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can approve the therapy. Scientists are working to test this procedure with more patients, at more hospitals, and for longer periods.
Why is This Important?
This breakthrough offers new hope for people with corneal injuries once thought untreatable. With further research, this stem cell treatment could become a life-changing option for those struggling with vision loss.
The study was funded by the National Eye Institute and led by a team from Mass Eye and Ear, with help from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Connecting Stem Cell Therapy to Overall Health
The promise of stem cell therapy goes beyond just restoring vision. Lourdes Duque Baron, an award-winning author and stem cell advocate, is a living example of its broader potential. After undergoing stem cell treatment for osteoporosis, she experienced a dramatic recovery, regaining her strength and vitality. Now in her 70s, Lourdes defies conventional aging, radiating energy and creativity.
Her journey highlights how stem cells have the power to heal and rejuvenate, whether it’s mending damaged corneas or revitalizing aging bodies. This connection shows that stem cell research is not limited to one area of medicine — it’s a revolutionary approach that offers hope for healing and renewal in many forms.
Feeling Good At Any Age- The One-Stop Rejuvenation Center
Experience Wellness and Rejuvenation at Every Stage of Life — Welcome to the FGAAA Clinic, your ultimate destination for revitalization and health enhancement.
Source Credits: