Researchers from Osaka University in Japan have made history by performing the first stem cell-based treatment in history to help patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) regain their vision. This disorder, which harms the cornea and frequently results in blindness, has proven challenging to treat using traditional techniques.

Under the direction of ophthalmologist Kohji Nishida, the group reprogrammed blood cells from healthy donors into cells that resembled embryos using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Following their transformation, these were implanted into patients as corneal epithelial cells. Three of the four patients had their vision successfully restored by the procedure, and the fourth patient experienced a brief improvement.
Interestingly, even after two years of observation, there were no serious side effects like tumor development or immunological rejection. Every patient saw an immediate improvement in their vision and a decrease in corneal damage, indicating the safety of the treatment and its potential for wider application in the treatment of blindness. This discovery gives LSCD patients hope and has the potential to completely change how many eye disorders are treated in the future.