A research team from Osaka University said Thursday it had conducted the world's first transplant of corneal tissues using artificially derived stem cells in July.
The university's team, led by Koji Nishida, may have created a new treatment for those suffering from corneal disease, as current treatment procedures involve waiting for corneal donations from deceased donors. A total of around 1,600 patients in the country are waiting for corneal donations, according to an estimate by the health ministry.
The patient in the July surgery, a woman in her 40s who suffered from corneal epithelial stem cell deficiency, was discharged from the hospital Aug. 23 after receiving the operation on her left eye on July 25. Her eyesight has improved considerably and there have been no problems detected so far, the team said.