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Feb 10, 2012

Stem cells can repair a damaged cornea

Scientists at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg have for the first time successfully cultivated stem cells on human corneas, which may in the long term remove the need for donators. A new cornea may be the only way to prevent a patient going blind — but there is a shortage of donated corneas and the queue for transplantation is long.

Approximately 500 corneal transplantations are carried out each year in Sweden, and about 100,000 in the world. The damaged and cloudy cornea that is turning the patient blind is replaced with a healthy, transparent one. But the procedure requires a donated cornea, and there is a severe shortage of donated material. This is particularly the case throughout the world, where religious or political views often hinder the use of donated material.

 

Further information here.