Developing stem cells for corneal disease: recent developments and future perspectives

Stem cell-based regenerative therapies have revolutionized ocular medicine, offering unprecedented potential to restore vision and repair damaged corneal tissues. Recent advancements have been driven by the growing demand to overcome corneal donor shortages and the complications associated with corneal transplantation. This paper provides a comprehensive review of clinical trials and regulatory approvals over the past seven years, categorized by target disease. Despite remarkable progress, significant challenges remain in ensuring safety, efficacy, and economic viability, necessitating rigorous characterization, global standardization, and ethical considerations. Future directions include leveraging gene-editing technologies, personalized medicine, and integrated regenerative approaches to optimize therapeutic outcomes.