Revolutionizing Stem Cell Treatment for Eye Diseases

Revolutionizing Stem Cell Treatment for Eye Diseases A group of engineers and medical researchers at the University of Sheffield in England, have developed a new technique called to transport stem cell therapy to the eye. The grafting of stem cells onto the eye was done by creating membranes. They have high hopes that this discovery can aid in repairing eye damages from accident or diseases. The experts further explained the details on how they arrived at this breakthrough via their published journal in Acta Biomaterialia.

The resulting technology has been developed to potentially cure corneal injuries, see-through layer in front of the eye and other causes of blindness. With the use of microstereolithography and electrospinning, the scientists created a disc of biodegradable material that can be placed over the cornea.

One of the participants was able to share her insights and details on the experiments on this particular stem cell therapy treatment. Professor Sheila MacNeil said, "Laboratory tests have shown that the membranes will support cell growth, so the next stage is to trial this in patients in India, working with our colleagues in the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad."

"One advantage of our design is that we have made the disc from materials already in use as biodegradable sutures in the eye so we know they won't cause a problem in the body. This means that, subject to the necessary safety studies and approval from Indian Regulatory Authorities, we should be able to move to early stage clinical trials fairly quickly."

The team is also looking at bringing this treatment method even to the developing world countries where accidental and chemical damage to the cornea happens on a regular basis. Membrane grafts and transplants are not something that can be easily availed by people from these nations. The developed countries such as the United States and United Kingdom that have access to a tissue bank are seen to be the pioneer testers of this stem cell therapy treatment.

The same month of last year, a certain Dr. Steven Schwartz, a retina specialist at the University of California, conducted stem cell treatment trials with two patients. Both patients are legally blind.

Following the clinical test, one was able to see colors better and sew on a button after so many years.

The other one was went mall shopping alone and did not have any problems with navigation. These results have shown tremendous potential of human embryonic cells to cure blindness and diseases of the eye.