Tissue created from stem cells used to improve vision successfully

Led by the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, researchers began by isolating st cells from the corneas of people who donated their eyes after death. The st cells were then grown into tissue, which was then transplanted to eight people of a 16-person group. Both groups were given eye drops and medication to suppress their immune syst.Over the course of 18 months, patients who received the st cell implants showed signs of significant repair of the ocular surface, which was not seen among the control patients. Both groups showed improved vision, which researchers say warrants further investigation.{{quote-A:R-W:400-I:2-Q:“The findings from this small study are very promising and show the potential for safe st cell eye surgery as well as improvents in eye repair.” -who: Baljean Dhillon, The University of Edinburgh}}Researchers on the project have claimed that this is a landmark study, and paves the way for further donor trials to be planned. Researchers also claimed this is also the first time that st cells have been used this way in a randomised, clinical trial.“The findings from this small study are very promising and show the potential for safe st cell eye surgery as well as improvents in eye repair,” Professor Baljean Dhillon, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, at The University of Edinburgh, said.The next step for researchers will be to further examine how st cells could promote tissue repair for other ocular conditions.The research was published in ST CELLS Translational Medicine, and was funded by UK St Cell Foundation, Scottish Enterprise and the Chief Scientist Office, part of Scottish Government Health Directorates.