Stem Cells and Vision Loss: New Research
The National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia is organizing an informative online forum to explore the potential of stem cells in preventing vision loss and restoring eyesight. Scheduled for 21st May at 7pm AEST, this event invites the public to engage with top experts in the field.
Titled ‘Future Medicine: Can stem cells save sight?’, the webinar features three prominent Australian stem cell researchers and eye clinicians who will discuss the latest scientific advancements and answer questions from the audience.
Attendees will gain insights into how stem cells can help treat various eye conditions. These include inherited eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and Usher syndrome, as well as acquired conditions like corneal damage.
Webinar Explores Cutting-Edge Treatments
Dr. Tom Edwards, a clinician-scientist and vitreoretinal surgeon at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, will present ongoing clinical trials for gene therapies aimed at age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases.
The Children’s Medical Research Institute’s Associate Professor Anai Gonzalez-Cordero will discuss innovative methods to repair or replace photoreceptor cells damaged by genetic conditions such as Stargardt disease and Usher syndrome.
Professor Stephanie Watson OAM, an ophthalmic surgeon from the University of Sydney, Sydney Eye Hospital, and other institutions, will elaborate on stem cell treatments addressing corneal damage and limbal stem cell deficiency.
In Australia, over 453,000 individuals live with blindness or low vision, which significantly affects their ability to perform daily activities. Among them, approximately 19,000 suffer from inherited retinal diseases caused by genetic factors. The estimated lifetime cost of living with an inherited eye disease in Australia is $5.2 million per person.
Globally, corneal blindness affects over 2 million people. These numbers highlight the urgent need for breakthroughs in medical science. Stem cell research offers a promising pathway for developing effective treatments.
By utilising patient-derived cells, researchers aim to better understand eye diseases, test new treatments, and potentially develop therapies that could save or restore sight. Scientists are developing lab-grown or patient-derived healthy eye stem cells for transplantation to treat corneal blindness.
People interested in attending the webinar can register through Humanitix. This platform allows participants to interact directly with experts and explore the promising advancements in stem cell research for eye health.
Last updated: 16 April 2026, 3:49 pm
