REGENERATIVE TREATMENTS
Regenerative medicine is a modern field of science that aims to increase the self-repair capacity of many tissues in the body including the eye, support cell functions, and strengthen biological healing processes. This approach targets the activation of natural mechanisms that regulate cellular communication in damaged tissues, accelerate healing, and balance inflammation. In organs with highly specialized structures such as the eye, regenerative medicine has become an important research area in recent years both in terms of supporting tissues and slowing the progression of functional losses. In this framework, by utilizing different types of stem cells and the biological signals produced by these cells, it is aimed to support cellular healing processes in many areas such as retina, cornea, oculoplastics, and eye surface.
🧬 What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are special cells with the capacity to self-renew, multiply, and transform into different tissue cells when needed. Due to these properties, they form the biological basis of regenerative treatments.
Stem cells have two main functions:
- Initiating and supporting tissue renewal
- Accelerating healing processes by regulating the microenvironment in damaged areas
🧪 Types of Stem Cells and Their Sources
Stem cells used in clinical and research fields have different sources. The biological properties and potential of each source differ from each other.
1. Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC)
- Obtained from embryos at the blastocyst stage.
- Have very high differentiation capacity.
- Clinical use areas are limited due to regulations, but they are valuable in scientific research.
2. Adult Tissue Stem Cells
Can be obtained from different tissues of the body and are the most commonly used group in clinical applications.
a) Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)
The most interesting and researched stem cell group in regenerative medicine.
MSCs can be obtained from the following tissues:
– Bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC)
- Has high biological activity
- Strong neuroprotective and immune regulatory effects
– Adipose tissue-derived MSC (AD-MSC)
- Easier to obtain
- Frequently evaluated due to tissue repair and inflammation regulation capacity
– Umbilical cord-derived MSC (UC-MSC)
I am detailing this part especially:
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC):
- Obtained from the jelly-like tissue of the umbilical cord called Wharton’s jelly
- Not embryonic, it is a tissue naturally obtained after birth
- High cell viability, proliferation rate, and immunomodulatory capacity
- Intensively researched in regenerative treatments due to secretions that regulate cellular communication
- There are numerous studies on potential benefits in eye tissues (cornea, retina, eye surface)
Umbilical cord-derived products hold an important place in modern regenerative medicine due to biological diversity and high purification potential.
3. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC)
- Obtained by reprogramming adult cells
- Bright future in clinical research
- Used in experimental models for retinal diseases
🧴 What are Stem Cell-Derived Biological Products?
Stem cell-derived products are special biological components obtained from the biological activity of stem cells themselves and used in treatment processes. These products contain biological signals and molecules secreted or produced by stem cells, rather than giving the stem cells themselves directly.
These products usually contain microRNAs, growth factors, anti-inflammatory proteins, and other biological components that regulate intercellular communication. This aims to support healing processes in tissues, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular renewal.
In summary, stem cell-derived products are biological tools designed to use the healing potential of stem cells in a safer and more controlled way. These products enable regenerative treatments to be applied more safely and effectively in sensitive tissues such as the eye.
Exosomes (MSC-Exosomes)
Among stem cell-derived secretions most used in clinical practice, exosomes stand out. These types of biological components play important roles in tissue healing processes by supporting intercellular communication. That is, these products are preferred approaches to deliver the healing potential provided by stem cells to patients in a safer and more controlled way in the clinical setting.
Exosomes, as nanoparticles produced by stem cells, support intercellular communication and become increasingly preferred biological tools in clinical applications. These tiny vesicles can easily pass through the cell membrane and enter cells due to their size, and support tissue healing processes with the microRNAs, proteins, and growth factors they carry. Thus, exosomes show effects not only on the surface but also in the depths of cells, and with these properties, they offer a very powerful and controlled approach in regenerative treatments. In a sense, exosomes enter cells like “nanoscopic messengers” and carry healing messages, thus standing out as a safe, effective, and modern biological treatment tool.
In the clinical use of exosomes, personalized treatment protocols can be developed, which offers an adaptable approach according to each patient’s needs. That is, exosome treatment can be personalized according to each patient’s condition and needs. This ensures that the treatment is both more reliable and more effective.
Additionally, the ability to apply exosomes with a minimally invasive method offers a comfortable treatment option for patients. Thus, this innovative approach offered by regenerative medicine becomes both modern and patient-friendly in the eye field.
REGENERATIVE EYE TREATMENTS
Regenerative treatments can be applied for various diseases in different regions of the eye, and positive results supported by scientific publications have been obtained in these areas.
Uses on the Retina
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Regenerative treatments can help preserve visual function by providing cellular support in the macula region of the retina in AMD patients.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Regenerative approaches have the potential to reduce damage by supporting the microvascular structure of the retina in diabetic retinopathy cases.
- Congenital Retinal Dystrophies: Regenerative treatments are used for the preservation of retinal cells and functional improvement in congenital retinal dystrophies.
- Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP): Cellular regeneration and support in RP patients can help retinal cells maintain their functions longer.
Uses on the Cornea
- Keratoconus: Regenerative treatments can slow the progression of the disease by strengthening corneal tissue and increasing its stability in keratoconus patients.
- Corneal Epithelial Damage and Burns: Regenerative approaches can help repair the corneal surface and regain its normal structure in corneal surface irregularities and scars resulting from trauma, chemical burns, or caustic injuries. These types of treatments aim to increase patients’ visual quality by reducing spots and opacities that occur after burns or chemical damage.
- Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: In limbal stem cell deficiency, regenerative treatments restore the cornea’s self-renewal capacity, enabling the reformation of a healthy epithelial layer.
Uses in Glaucoma
- Nerve Protection in Glaucoma: Regenerative treatments can help preserve optic nerve cells in glaucoma patients and thus support the health of the optic nerve.
Other Optic Nerve Damage and Atrophies
- Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) Poisoning: In optic nerve damage due to toxic substances such as methanol, regenerative treatments can contribute to reducing possible damage by supporting the repair processes of nerve cells.
- Traumatic Optic Neuropathy and Other Causes: In optic nerve atrophies due to trauma, ischemia, or other toxic causes, regenerative approaches can promise hope in preserving visual function by supporting the renewal capacity of nerve cells.
Uses in Dry Eye and Rheumatological Diseases
Dry eye syndrome can be quite bothersome for patients, especially when associated with rheumatological diseases. Regenerative treatments also promise hope in such cases.
- Severe Dry Eye Cases: Regenerative approaches can increase patient comfort by supporting the healing of the eye surface, especially in severe dry eye cases that do not respond to other treatments. Various clinical studies have also shown that these treatments support tear quality and eye surface health.
- Sjogren’s Syndrome and Other Rheumatological Dry Eye: In dry eye conditions that occur in rheumatological diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, regenerative treatments can help renew the eye surface and balance tear functions. Applications in this field can play an important role both in alleviating patients’ symptoms and improving quality of life.
Uses in Eye Aesthetics and Oculoplastics
Regenerative treatments are increasingly preferred in eye area aesthetics and oculoplastic applications to improve tissue quality and provide a rejuvenated appearance.
- Improving Tissue Quality Around the Eye: Regenerative approaches support the renewal of skin tissue around the eye, providing a smoother, more elastic, and healthier appearance. This can reduce wrinkles and improve overall tissue quality.
- Reducing Wrinkles and Rejuvenation: Regenerative treatments help achieve a younger and more rested expression by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye. These types of applications increase patient satisfaction by offering natural and lasting results.
Application Techniques and Process
The application of regenerative treatments is carried out using different techniques according to the patient’s needs and the area to be treated.
- Application Methods: Regenerative treatments are usually applied with minimally invasive methods. These methods may include injections, topical applications, or light surgical techniques when needed. Each method is specifically determined according to the patient’s condition and treatment purpose.
- Treatment Duration and Sessions: Application duration may vary depending on the size of the area to be treated and the type of treatment. Sessions are usually short and patients can return to their daily activities the same day. The full effect of the treatment is usually seen within a few weeks, and multiple sessions may be needed in some cases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, regenerative eye treatments offer an innovative and supportive approach in eye health. However, it is important not to forget that these treatments do not promise miraculous results and may vary according to each patient’s condition. Regenerative approaches play a supportive role in addition to existing treatments, and it is important to keep patients’ expectations realistic. Although these treatments planned personally can contribute to eye health in the long term, it is best to adopt a balanced and conscious approach rather than making big promises.