A groundbreaking stem cell therapy developed at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, is restoring sight for some blind folks! Called cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells (CALEC)
The procedure involves taking stem cells from a patient’s healthy eye, growing them into a tissue graft, and transplanting them into the damaged eye. In an 18-month clinical trial, the treatment successfully restored corneal surfaces in 92% of participants, with a complete recovery in over three-quarters (77%) of cases.
Researchers tell Nature.com that it does require a healthy donor eye, but future advancements could make it viable for patients with damage in both eyes. The study highlights the potential of cell therapy to treat previously untreatable conditions.
Researchers filed their trials with the FDA back in 2015 and are hopeful with just a few more trials they will get the FDA approval to make it accessible to everyone. .
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