ISO head: Iran to culture eye stem cells and repair corneal tissue

Iran has entered new realms of corneal tissue generation and fixation by culturing corneal endothelial stem cells, said the head of Iranian Society of Ophthalmology (ISO).

Mahmoud Jabbarvand told Iran Daily that at present, new developments based on stem cell production have been achieved in regenerative medicine for the cornea. This can replace common cornea transplantation.

The corneal endothelium is a single layer of cells on the inner surface of the cornea which faces the chamber formed between the cornea and the iris. It governs fluid and solute transport across the posterior surface of the cornea, maintaining the cornea and its transparency that is required for optical translucence.

Jabbarvand said this new method of fixing corneal tissue is one of the world’s most important issues in ophthalmology, adding few developed countries such as the United States, England, Australia and Japan .have achieved desired results in the field.

Pointing to Iran’s high position in ophthalmology, he said Iranian ophthalmologists — provided with high standard medical education in the country — are among the world’s top practitioners in terms of both theory and practice. They are attracted to the world’s prominent medical and scientific centers and attain the best ranks in international ophthalmological examinations.

Commenting on researches conducted in ophthalmology, Jabbarvand said several studies have been conducted on treating diseases pertaining to cornea, retina, glaucoma and so on, and Iranian researchers have achieved good results in these areas.

Touching upon the US sanctions against Iran, he said the country is not yet affected in the area of medical care and currently there is no lack of ophthalmological equipment.

Foreign currency at official rate must be provided to import medical equipment, Jabbarvand said, emphasizing on diagnostic services pertaining ophthalmology.

“Otherwise, the cost of medical services in hospitals and medical centers will go up.”

The head of ISO announced that recent improvements and global innovations are being presented in the 28th annual congress of the Iranian Society of Ophthalmology from November 12-15 in Tehran.

The congress is hosting 2,000 participants who can take part in 11 symposiums, 34 workshops and 107 presentations. They can also view 92 posters and 22 films, Jabbarvand concluded.