Our Summary

Cell therapies, which are treatments using cells from the patient’s body, are becoming increasingly popular in medicine. In 2015, a therapy using cells from the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) was approved for treating damage caused by chemical burns to the eye. This was a big step forward, but there are still many hurdles to overcome before these treatments can be widely used.

One group in Singapore has been working on a therapy using corneal cells to treat diseases that affect the back surface of the cornea, which are a common reason for corneal transplants. They hope this therapy could be an alternative to transplants, especially considering the current shortage of donor corneas worldwide.

However, moving from research to actual treatment isn’t straightforward. It’s important to ensure that the cells used in the therapy are of good quality and can do what they’re supposed to. There are also different regulations in different parts of the world that need to be considered.

In summary, while cell therapy for corneal diseases is promising, there are still many challenges to overcome, mainly related to quality control and regulatory approval. But if these hurdles can be cleared, this kind of therapy could be a game-changer for people with certain eye conditions.

FAQs

  1. What is cell therapy and how is it used in treating corneal diseases?
  2. Why is the use of corneal cells as an alternative to transplants significant?
  3. What are the major challenges in implementing cell therapy for corneal diseases?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient considering a corneal transplant to stay informed about the latest advancements in cell therapy for corneal diseases. They might advise the patient to discuss these potential treatments with their ophthalmologist to see if they could be a viable option in the future. It’s also important for the patient to follow their ophthalmologist’s recommendations for post-transplant care to ensure the best possible outcome.

Suitable For

Corneal transplants are typically recommended for patients with the following conditions:

  1. Keratoconus: a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge outward, resulting in distorted vision.

  2. Fuchs’ dystrophy: a genetic disorder that causes the corneal endothelial cells to deteriorate, leading to corneal swelling and vision problems.

  3. Corneal scarring: caused by injuries, infections, or other trauma to the cornea, resulting in vision impairment.

  4. Corneal infections: such as bacterial, viral, or fungal infections that cause damage to the cornea.

  5. Corneal degeneration: age-related changes that affect the structure and function of the cornea, leading to vision problems.

Overall, corneal transplants are recommended for patients with severe corneal damage or diseases that cannot be effectively treated with other methods. The decision to undergo a corneal transplant is made on a case-by-case basis by an ophthalmologist or cornea specialist, taking into consideration the patient’s overall health and vision needs.

Timeline

Before corneal transplant:

  1. Patient experiences vision loss or changes in vision due to corneal disease or injury.
  2. Patient undergoes evaluations and tests to determine if they are a candidate for a corneal transplant.
  3. Patient is placed on a waiting list for a donor cornea if deemed a suitable candidate.
  4. Patient waits for a suitable donor cornea to become available.

After corneal transplant:

  1. Patient undergoes corneal transplant surgery, where the damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea.
  2. Patient goes through a recovery period, which includes taking medications to prevent infection and rejection of the new cornea.
  3. Patient attends follow-up appointments with their eye doctor to monitor the healing process and check for any complications.
  4. Patient may need to undergo additional treatments or surgeries to address any issues that arise post-transplant.
  5. Patient gradually experiences improved vision and quality of life as the new cornea heals and stabilizes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about corneal transplant include:

  1. What are the risks and potential complications associated with a corneal transplant?
  2. What is the success rate of corneal transplants for my specific condition?
  3. How long is the recovery process after a corneal transplant and what can I expect during that time?
  4. Are there any alternative treatments to corneal transplant that I should consider?
  5. How will my vision be impacted after a corneal transplant and what are the long-term outcomes?
  6. How many corneal transplants has the surgeon performed and what is their success rate?
  7. What type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure and what are the potential side effects?
  8. Will I need to take any medications after the corneal transplant and what are the potential side effects of these medications?
  9. How often will I need to follow up with the doctor after the corneal transplant and what will these appointments entail?
  10. Are there any lifestyle changes I need to make after a corneal transplant to ensure the best possible outcome?

Reference

Authors: Ting DSJ, Peh GSL, Adnan K, Mehta JS. Journal: Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2022 Feb;28(1):52-62. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2020.0319. Epub 2021 Jan 11. PMID: 33267724