by Joel Harrison
2. November 2011 08:56
Scientists have developed a new method to restore the vision of people who suffered from eye injuries and certain degenerative eye diseases. The new treatment consists in growing eye cells in a laboratory with the use of tissue samples collected from a healthy eye.
The cornea of the human eye can regenerate itself thanks to limbal stem cells, which are located at the edge of the cornea. These cells normally renew corneal cells when they die. However, when limbal stem cells die themselves, the cornea’s ability to regenerate is destroyed, which results in corneal cloudiness and blindness.
Fortunately, specialists at the Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle, have developed a method allowing them to create grafts on the basis of stem cells taken from healthy eyes. These grafts are placed in the damaged area of the eye. Subsequently, doctors put a contact lenses on the graft, which is very important, as the lens protects the vulnerable graft from being damaged.
After several weeks, stem cells start to work and the cornea regains its ability to renew itself (or, in severe cases, a corneal transplant becomes a viable treatment option).
According to Francisco Figueiredo, the ophthalmic surgeon at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle who runs the stem cell trial, the potential of the new method is enormous.
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Tags: Scientists, vision, eye injuries, eye diseases, cells, cornea, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle, contact lens, Francisco Figueiredo, Royal Victoria Infirmary
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