New Irises and Corneas for All

Stem cell researchers in England used stem cells to create irises in people born with aniridia, a rare genetic disease that prevents iris formation. Being born without an iris leads to decreased vision, cataracts, and -- in some cases -- even glaucoma. The stem cells were taken from cadavers.

In other news, researchers from Japan grew new corneas from stem cells. They haven't transplanted them into humans yet, but a Center City doctor has.

Brandon Ayers from the Willis Eye Institute created and transplanted a "keratoprosthesis" from donated corneal tissue and the results -- assuming they're not hype -- were pretty amazing.

"We take people who haven't seen in probably 30 years and within a week after surgery are now seeing between 20/50 and 20/20 or perfect vision," said Dr. Brandon Ayers, with Wills Eye Institute.

...

Ayers uses a donated human cornea and tiny pieces of plastic to build an artificial cornea in the operating room. It's called a keratoprosthesis. A hole is punched in the middle of the human donor cornea, and then it is placed on the front of the artificial cornea that looks like a tiny mushroom.

"Then we take the back plate -- that gets gently placed on there," Ayers said.

After that's threaded in place, a tiny titanium lock ring holds it all together. That is what is sewn in the patient's eye after his or her diseased cornea is removed.

From blind or nearly there to 20/20 vision? That's a pretty good upgrade.

Stem Cell Therapy Improves Sight of Patients Born with No Irises [Guardian]

Todai Researchers Make Cornea Breakthrough [Daily Yomiuri]

Surgery Could Restore Sight To Blind [NBC10]