Some individuals are also genetically predisposed to developing disease that damages the epithelium of the cornea. Once the epithelial stem cells are destroyed, they are lost forever. If too many epithelial cells are destroyed, the cornea becomes cloudy and blindness may result. Current treatments for corneal epithelial stem cell deficiency include stem cell transplants from donor eyes, which require that patients take high dosages of anti-rejection drugs. Transplantation of the entire cornea is not a successful option for patients with epithelial stem cell deficiencies.
Grafts often fail, resulting in complications that can leave patients blind and visually disabled.
In the new procedure, doctors remove the diseased or damaged corneal cells and transplant healthy tissue containing epithelial stem cells in their place. The transplanted stem cells grow over the eye's surface and become clear corneal tissue. We felt that we could not pass up the opportunity to help Dr. Pflugfelder in some way, since the research has the potential to help so many people. The grant is the largest the Lions Eye Bank of Houston has awarded for research in its history. The grant will fund the first phase of the study, which will involve developing the best technique to regenerate human corneal epithelial cells.