[Holoclar®, an autologous stem cells graft for sight recovery after ocular burns]

Ocular chemical or physical burns currently represent 12 % of domestic accidents in Europe. They can lead to numerous ophthalmologic sequelae ranging from simple superficial keratitis to conjunctival ischemia and the destruction of limbal corneal stem cells. This results in damages to the cornea which can progress to neovascularization and corneal invasion by conjunctival tissue. Long term consequences affect ocular function (sometimes blindness, stromal degradation, infections, or even ocular perforation). Until now, few treatments were available to restore corneal transparency after a trauma. Patients affected by post-traumatic limbal stem cell deficiency unfortunately had little prospect. Regenerative cell therapy, of which Holoclar® is a part, could revolutionize the future of these patients.