Eye disease

Eye disease

Eye disease

Eye Disease

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Vision loss affects millions of people worldwide and approximately 1 in 5 Canadians over age 20. Common causes include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and corneal disease. Many forms of blindness, particularly those caused by corneal injury or degeneration, have limited treatment options—often relying on donor tissue that is in short supply.

Canadian researchers are developing regenerative medicine approaches that could change that reality. By using stem cells and biomaterials to repair or regenerate damaged eye tissue, scientists are uncovering new ways to restore sight without the need for donor transplants. From lab-grown corneal cells that replace those lost to disease, to injectable hydrogels that stimulate natural healing, these innovations are paving the way for safer, more accessible, and less invasive therapies.

Through its investments in eye disease research—over $2.7 million from 2016–2028—the Stem Cell Network is supporting advances that could help people in Canada and around the world see again, transforming the future of vision restoration.

Dr. Stephan Ong Tone, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Ontario

Cycle 5, Round 1: Early Career Researcher Jump Start Award New Hope for Vision Loss Caused by Corneal Disease

The cornea—the clear, front part of the eye—is essential for vision. When it’s damaged or diseased, people can experience eye pain, blurred vision, or even blindness. One of the most common causes of this damage is Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), a disease that affects the inner layer of the cornea and is the leading reason for corneal transplants worldwide.

While transplants can help, access is limited—over half of the world’s population doesn’t have reliable access to donor corneas. There’s a critical need to better understand FECD and find new treatments that don’t rely on surgery.

Dr. Stephan Ong Tone, a clinician-scientist and corneal surgeon, is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. His research is focused on uncovering how FECD develops by studying affected corneal cells and testing therapies that protect and regenerate the cornea. His team has already identified promising therapeutics that reduce cell damage and promote healing—offering a potential alternative to transplantation.

If successful, this work could lead to new, non-surgical treatments that restore vision for people living with corneal disease—both in Canada and around the world.

“We’re working to give people back their sight—by protecting the eye’s natural healing ability and reducing the need for transplants.”

Dr. May Griffith, CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Quebec

Cycle 5, Round 1: Impact Award A Breakthrough Injectable Gel to Restore Vision and Avoid Transplants

Corneal blindness affects millions worldwide, but donor tissue for transplants is in short supply. Dr. May Griffith’s team discovered that lab-made collagen hydrogels can stimulate the cornea to regrow from within. Although effective, the solid implants require specialized surgeons and operating rooms to administer.

Dr. May Griffith and her team are developing a game-changing alternative: a fully synthetic, injectable hydrogel called LiQD Cornea that can be applied on an outpatient basis—even in low-resource settings. This innovative therapy stimulates the cornea to heal and regrow itself, offering hope to patients who would otherwise go without treatment.

Unlike traditional solid implants, LiQD Cornea is designed to fill wounds, ulcers, or perforations before the damage progresses to the point of requiring a transplant. Promising results from a large animal study show that this therapy supports healing, but Dr. Griffith’s team has identified that precision and inflammation control are key to success. To address this, they are developing a new Laser-BioPen and a bioink containing stem cells or their exosomes to enhance regeneration and reduce complications.

By the end of this project, the team hopes to deliver a minimally invasive therapy that can restore corneal tissue and nerves—even in severely inflamed eyes. If successful, this approach could transform how corneal blindness is treated and may be adapted for use in other tissues and organs.

“We’re creating a simple, accessible treatment that can help people around the world regain their vision—without needing a transplant.”