Dozens of people who suffer from blindness or suffering from severe eye damage when exposed to spray chemicals can be treated with stem cell transplant. The success of this cell therapy developed by researchers Italy. As quoted in the Associated Press, this treatment can be used on 82 of the 107 pairs of eyes for the developments so far. One man with eyes that really damaged during more than 60 years already have a vision close to normal today.
"This is a remarkable success," said ophthalmologist Dr. Ivan Schwab of the University of California. He has no role in the largest study of this kind.
Stem cell transplant offers hope to thousands of people around the world each year who suffer from chemical burns to the cornea due to perform heavy tasks related to chemical products, both in the workplace or home.
However, this approach will not help individuals with damage to the optic nerve or macula involving retinal degeneration. It also can not be used on people who really blind in both eyes because doctors need at least some healthy tissue for a transplant.
In a study published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers took a small number of healthy stem cells from the patient's eye and then multiply these cells in the laboratory and then placed into the damaged eye where they can grow new corneal tissue to replace what has been damaged . Because the stem cells from their own bodies, the patient does not need to take anti-rejection drugs.
Adult stem cells have been used for decades to treat blood cancers like leukemia and diseases such as sickle cell anemia. However, fixing problems like eye damage is the use of relatively new. Researchers have been studying cell therapy for other diseases, including diabetes and heart failure, but has limited success
Adult stem cells, are found throughout the body, are different from embryonic stem cells derived from human embryos and raise ethical concerns because while removing the cells needed to destroy an embryo.
Currently, individuals who suffered burns on the eyes can get the artificial corneas, a procedure that may be caused complications such as infection and glaucoma. Not only that, they can receive a transplant using stem cells from cadavers, but required the use of drugs to prevent rejection.
"This is a remarkable success," said ophthalmologist Dr. Ivan Schwab of the University of California. He has no role in the largest study of this kind.
Stem cell transplant offers hope to thousands of people around the world each year who suffer from chemical burns to the cornea due to perform heavy tasks related to chemical products, both in the workplace or home.
However, this approach will not help individuals with damage to the optic nerve or macula involving retinal degeneration. It also can not be used on people who really blind in both eyes because doctors need at least some healthy tissue for a transplant.
In a study published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers took a small number of healthy stem cells from the patient's eye and then multiply these cells in the laboratory and then placed into the damaged eye where they can grow new corneal tissue to replace what has been damaged . Because the stem cells from their own bodies, the patient does not need to take anti-rejection drugs.
Adult stem cells have been used for decades to treat blood cancers like leukemia and diseases such as sickle cell anemia. However, fixing problems like eye damage is the use of relatively new. Researchers have been studying cell therapy for other diseases, including diabetes and heart failure, but has limited success
Adult stem cells, are found throughout the body, are different from embryonic stem cells derived from human embryos and raise ethical concerns because while removing the cells needed to destroy an embryo.
Currently, individuals who suffered burns on the eyes can get the artificial corneas, a procedure that may be caused complications such as infection and glaucoma. Not only that, they can receive a transplant using stem cells from cadavers, but required the use of drugs to prevent rejection.