New technique for eye stem cell growth

2004/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

The University Clinic of Navarra has developed a new technique for the growth of corneal stem cells. These cells are used to treat some diseases of the cornea.

(Photo: Or. VoLk).

The cornea can be affected by burns, blows, infections... These diseases affect the stem cells responsible for keeping the cornea transparent. This causes the cornea to fade and vision to be lost partially or completely.

This technique involves taking a piece of healthy eye and removing stem cells from it. From them are selected those with greater reproductive capacity and placed in the sick eye. In this way, better quality stem cells are obtained, which accelerates the recovery of the functions of the affected eye.