United States: The research shows that revolutionary experimental stem cell techniques can now treat corneal injuries that endanger eyesight.
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A permanent effect occurs from corneal damage when disease or injuries affect the cell regeneration ability of this eye’s transparent layer.
The March 4 Nature Communications edition describes the stem cell approach researchers developed for patients to gain cells from healthy eyes to restore injured corneas.
Research indicates that the methodology demonstrates both safety and workability through patient assessments spanning 18 months in 14 treated patients.
The medical procedure is called cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells, which doctors abbreviate as CALEC.
What are the experts stating?
According to the lead investigator, Dr. Ula Jurkunas, associate director of the Cornea Service at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston, “Our first trial in four patients showed that CALEC was safe and the treatment was possible,” US News reported.
“Now we have this new data supporting that CALEC is more than 90% effective at restoring the cornea’s surface, which makes a meaningful difference in individuals with cornea damage that was considered untreatable,” she continued.
Research notes explain how the limbus at the cornea perimeter contains numerous stem cells referred to as limbal epithelial cells.
Weight-bearing stem cells construct the cornea at all times, which results in its smooth and clear state.
A cornea injury will deplete the essential cells located in the limbus region of the eyes.
The permanent damage to eye surface tissue becomes known as limbal stem cell deficiency.
This eye damage makes organ replacement surgery irrelevant since doctors require donor tissue for the procedure, according to researchers’ statements.
Researchers explain that CALEC requires stem cell extraction from healthy eyes followed by tissue graft manufacturing through a new method extending to two to three weeks.
Through surgery, the specialist transfers the graft to an eye containing damaged cornea tissue to enable natural cornea regeneration.
Research data revealed that CALEC promoted complete cornea restoration in fifty percent of study participants during their first three months, and success rates reached eighty percent after eighteen months.
The complete recovery success rates for CALEC reached 90 percent based on researchers’ assessment, including patients who experienced partial treatment success.
“We feel this research warrants additional trials that can help lead towards [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] approval,” Jurkunas added.