Regenerative medicine for the cornea
Among the five senses, vision is the one that provides the most information. The eyes, which play such an important role in our sense of vision, are very small organs measuring only abut 24 mm in length from cornea to retina. We perceive objects to be visible when the image information projected on the retina from the cornea through the lens is transmitted to the brain through the optic nerves. The cornea, which is at the outer surface of the eye, plays the role of bringing light into the eye and focusing it on the retina by refracting it together with the lens. It also protects the interior of the eye by keeping external bacteria and chemical substances out.
Although the cornea is simple tissue, it possesses characteristics that are not found in other kinds of tissue, including transparency, avascularity, and the ability to maintain shape and nutrients. Because of these special characteristics, medical science was never before able to create a substitute for the cornea.
Corneal transplantation remains the sole treatment method for major damage to the cornea from injury or burns, and patients have had to wait their turn for the few donated cornea available. Corneal transplants made through regenerative medicine are now giving great hope to many patients.
Insurance-covered
therapy
Limbal stem cell deficiency treatments using Autologous Cultured Corneal Epithelium have been covered by insurance since June 1, 2020.
Insurance-covered
therapy
Limbal stem cell deficiency treatments using Autologous Cultured Oral Mucosal Epithelium have been covered by insurance since December 1, 2021.
The use and commercialization of the medicinal products developed by Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd. that are referred to on this website are approved only in Japan. A potential use and commercialization in other regions will be subject to the prior granting of a marketing authorization in the given territory and compliance with applicable laws.