Stem Cell Deficiency
Centre for Sight has been at the forefront of eye-care since the company began in 1996. Stem cell transplantation has been one of the biggest game changers for medicine, but each procedure is specific to a small part of the human anatomy.
Our stem cell procedure has been developed to treat the Limbus. This is the part of the eye that generates new cells for the cornea. Every time we blink this transparent ring around our iris washes these cells over our cornea, without it our sight would cloud and degenerate.
Who can be treated?
Only those with problems involving the eye surface in particular those patients who have Limbal stem cell deficiency. These include those who have had chemical (acid or alkaline), thermal injuries or Stevens Johnsons Syndrome, which have resulted in damage to the limbus. There are also a group of patients who have congenital deficiency of stem cells, including those with Aniridia and ectodermal dysplasia. Who cannot be treated by ex-vivo stem cell transplantation? Eye problems that do not involve the eye surface and cornea.
Katie Piper was blinded in her left eye from a serious chemical injury. An ex-vivo stem allograft transplant at Centre for Sight was the first stage in helping to restore her sight.
Examples of conditions that CANNOT be treated include:
- Age related macular degeneration
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Glaucoma
- Optic neuritis and other problems of the optic nerve
- Severe eye injuries involving the retina (back of the eye)
- Keratoconus
- Fuchs corneal dystrophy
Where do our stem cells come from?
Our stem cells are taken from a donor eye. The Limbal stem cells from this eye are cultivated into a new sheet of cells, which are then transplanted on to the eye.
A full fact sheet can be found here.
For more information or to book a consultation please call 01342 306020 or Email us.
Author Information
Next review due June 2020.