This is pretty exciting. Adult stem cells placed on contact lenses may be able to effectively treat a form of blindness. From the story:
COATING a common contact lens with stem cells could help restore a person’s sight, Australian scientists have found. University of New South Wales medical researchers used the technique to treat the damaged corneas of three patients, all of whose vision improved within weeks of the groundbreaking procedure...
Stem cells were harvested from the eyes of each patient and then cultured inside a contact lens, which was then stuck onto a damaged cornea in a “transplant” of regenerative cells. “The procedure is totally simple and cheap,” said the university’s Dr Nick Di Girolamo.
And no chance of tissue rejection since it is the patient’s own tissue. Adult stem cells appear to be developing into the major field for regenerative medical treatments. That is something everyone can celebrate.
