Stem Cell Therapy Restores Corneal Damage: 90% Success Rate

Imagine losing your vision due to an injury once considered untreatable. A groundbreaking stem cell therapy called CALEC is changing that reality, offering new hope to those with severe corneal damage. Recent clinical trial results show an astounding 90% success rate in restoring the cornea’s surface and improving vision.

How Does CALEC Work?

The innovative Cultivated Autologous Limbal Epithelial Cell (CALEC) therapy involves:

Extracting stem cells from a healthy eye
Expanding them into a tissue graft over 2–3 weeks
Transplanting the graft into the damaged eye

This procedure was designed for patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a condition that leaves the cornea permanently damaged, caused by

Chemical burns
Infections
Trauma

Unlike traditional corneal transplants, which require a healthy surface, CALEC works even when the cornea is severely scarred.

Clinical Trial Success: A Major Breakthrough

A phase 1/2 clinical trial conducted by Mass Eye and Ear followed 14 patients for 18 months after receiving CALEC treatment. The results were remarkable:

50% of patients had complete corneal restoration at 3 months
79% achieved full success by 12 months
Overall success rates were 93% at 12 months and 92% at 18 months

Patients also experienced notable vision improvements. The study, published in Nature Communications, marks a significant step toward FDA approval for widespread use.

Safety and Future of CALEC

The procedure demonstrated a high safety profile with no serious complications. The only adverse event reported was a bacterial infection. However, it was linked to contact lens use, not the transplant itself.

Currently, CALEC is not available at hospitals but remains under research. Scientists are now working on making it accessible to more patients, including those with bilateral eye injuries, by developing a version using donor stem cells.

What’s Next?

Larger multicenter trials with randomized control designs are needed before CALEC can become a mainstream treatment. However, experts are optimistic that this revolutionary approach will soon provide millions of people suffering from corneal injuries with a chance to see again.

Final Thoughts: A Bright Future for Vision Restoration

With a 90%+ success rate, CALEC is transforming the way we treat severe eye injuries. As researchers push toward FDA approval, this stem cell breakthrough may soon become the standard for corneal repair.

Would you consider stem cell therapy for eye injuries? Share your thoughts below!

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.