Limbal Stem Cells

Last medically reviewed: October 7, 2026

⚠ Important — educational information only, not medical advice

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Not an FDA-approved treatment unless explicitly stated. Except where a page names an FDA-approved product, the stem-cell, MSC, exosome, extracellular-vesicle, Wharton’s jelly and other biologic approaches described here are not FDA-approved for any eye condition. Research findings — especially laboratory and animal studies — are not proof that anything works or is safe in people.
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Limbal stem cells live at the border of the cornea and the white of the eye. They continuously renew the corneal surface.

Research is not treatment. The studies summarized below are investigational. They are presented for education only, do not show that any approach is safe or effective in patients, and are not a recommendation. Unless stated as FDA-approved, none of these approaches is approved for this condition. RUO materials are not for human use.

Limbal stem cell deficiency

When limbal stem cells are destroyed — for example, by chemical burns — the corneal surface can no longer heal normally.

Clinical use

Transplantation of limbal tissue and of cultivated limbal stem cells is used by cornea specialists for limbal stem cell deficiency. Long-term outcomes of cultivated limbal stem cell transplantation have been published, and a cultivated product holds conditional marketing authorisation in the EU.^{[1, 2]}

Answers

Related conditions

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency & Corneal Damage

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as stem cell injections sold by clinics?

No — limbal stem cell transplantation is a specific corneal surgery for a specific diagnosis.

Patients

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Professionals

Scientific education and research resources.

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References

Rama P, et al. Limbal Stem-Cell Therapy and Long-Term Corneal Regeneration. New England Journal of Medicine, 2010. [Peer-reviewed study · citation details pending reviewer confirmation]
Holoclar — European public assessment report. European Medicines Agency, 2015. [Regulator · citation details pending reviewer confirmation]