In an Italian study published by the New England Journal of Medicine (June 23, 2010), researchers reported the results of stem cell transplants in people who were blinded or suffered severe eye damage when they were splashed with caustic chemicals. Scientists took stem cells from a patient's healthy eye (more specifically from the limbus, the thin area that connects the cornea and the sclera), cultured them in the lab, and placed them into the damaged eye where they grew new corneal tissue to replace the damaged tissue. Since the stem cells are from the patients’ own bodies they do not need to take anti-rejection drugs.
The Study
Researchers followed some patients for about 3 years and others for a decade. The treatment was successful in more than 3/4 of the patients as they regained their eyesight. Another 13% of patients had improved vision but with some cloudiness in the cornea. Those that had their sight restored with transplants from self-supplied stem cells have been experiencing the results for up to a decade so far. One patient who suffered severe eye damage more than 60 years ago now has near-normal vision. Patients who experienced superficial damage could see within 1-2 months and those with extensive trauma took several months longer.
Who can have the procedure
The stem cell transplant procedure used for patients in the study cannot help people who are completely blind in both eyes. It also cannot be used on people with eye damage to the optic nerve or macular degeneration, which involves the retina. Also, stem cell transplants would not help people who are blinded by burns in both eyes because viable stem cells are needed to do the procedure.
The stem cells used in the transplants on the patients in the Italian study came from their own bodies. They differ from embryonic stem cells, which come from human embryos. Removing stem cells from embryos have encouraged bioethical concerns because it involves the destruction of the embryo. Researchers in the United States and in other countries have been experimenting with different ways to use self-supplied stem cells. This could lead to avoidance of the bioethical concerns and debates that are focused on preservation of human life in the embryological stages. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2008 that there were 2,850 work-related chemical burns to the eyes. Stem cell transplants with self-supplied stem cells offer a repair, cure, or relief for those who are visually-challenged.
Sight for sore eyes.
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Reference links:
1. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100624/ap_on_he_me/us_med_stem_cells_blindness
2. http://news.yahoo.com/video/health-15749655/medical-breakthrough-restoring-sight-to-the-blind-20498197
Copyright ©2010 Joyce E.M. Wall
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