Trachoma healing with stem cells made possible

The present society has high-rise buildings, technologies, and innovations. Yet several corners lack hygiene and sanitation, which can lead to health issues like Trachoma. Missing healthcare amenities amplify the effects with time.

Trachoma took 1.9 million eye sights from 38 countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East. 

Traditional methods are effective against the early stages of Trachoma. However, they do no good when the damage is done, and many people suffer from vision loss. 

Parallelly, stem cell therapies with reviving medicines are evolving rapidly. Thus, they create a hope for untreatable ailments.

Knowing Trachoma

Chlamydia Trachomatis bacteria cause Trachoma infection in our eyes. Our eyes need antibiotics and a clean environment to fight the infection.

People struggle with frequent bacterial infections. Spots around the eyes, eyelashes grow towards the eyes, and corneal damage ruins normal vision.

Trachoma blindness stays forever. It spreads the eye and nose discharge of an infected person, their belongings, and insects. It spreads through sexual transmission.

Recently updated medicines can limit the early progression, but they fail in later stages. Stem cell therapies can reverse the damage, as a hope for individuals.

Chlamydia Trachomatis bacteria target children and the rural public. Remote areas lack water and have garbage dumped at various places, making them breeding grounds for bacteria.

Around 135 million people live in such locations and are likely to suffer from Trachoma. The World Health Organization suggests the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial Cleanliness, and Environmental Improvements) program to eliminate Trachoma. 

Maintaining cleanliness around 

Have you ever heard that 14000 microbes are present around us? Cleanliness is the key to keep them away. 

• Your hygiene - bathing, cleaning, hand washing, and using restrooms 

• Your home hygiene -  garbage disposal, cooking in a clean kitchen, and sweeping the house

• To stay in a breathable environment, dump the garbage in public dustbins, grow plants, drain stagnant water, and create awareness.

  
  Mosquitos cause

  • Malaria

  • Dengue

  • Chikungunia

  • Zika

  • Yellow fever

    Clear standing water in and around your house to protect your family.

    Knowing about stem cells

    We all have stem cells. Every stem cell can modify itself into a different cell. As a result, they can help us replace our damaged organs. 

    

    Stem cells lie within our bodies. They have a unique quality. They can turn into any kind of cells in our bodies.

    • Blood cells

    • Muscle cells

    • Brain cells

    • Bone cells

    • Nerve cells

    • Corneal cells
      
      These cells have contributed a lot to neurology and orthopedics. They can reshape and restructure into other cells in the body. Eye doctors or ophthalmologists try to restore eyesight with these cells.

      Nearly 6000 clinical trials on stem cells have been done. 44 of them were on oral diseases.   

      Trachoma-induced blindness is the result of corneal damage. Research is on to replace stem cells with these damaged cells, allowing brightness to many. 

      The cornea is the external cover of our eyes. It protects the eye from dust, germs, and other particles. It gives each of us sharp vision by focusing light rays on the retina, the back wall of our eye. 

      Types of stem cells 

      Stem cells are of various types. Their sources differentiate them.

      

      Embryonic stem cells

    • Perinatal stem cells 

    • Totipotent stem cells

    • Adult stem cells

    • Induced pluripotent stem cells

      The first three stem cells come from the embryo. They can regenerate into any type of cell. 

      Adult stem cells lie within different tissues. Induced stem cells are artificially programmed. They behave like embryonic cells. This way, they develop into any type of cell to unlock doors for health options.

      Prospects of Trachoma Treatment

      Stem cells are capable of transformation. Thus, they can be implanted in the eye to replace the damaged corneal cells to create fresh corneal cells. This way, they can recreate the lost sight of a person. 

      

      Trachoma treatment needs $48, but the charges will jump higher with stem cells. 

      This regeneration technique can give clarity to see the world. These cells can also reverse the ingrown eyelashes and give relief from the piercing pain. The steps are

      Healthy cells are taken from the person’s eye

    • They are grafted under a quality enclosure.

    • A minimum of 2-3 weeks duration completes the regeneration.

    • The developed tissue is implanted into the damaged areas.

  • Trials gave 90% positive effects.

    The person has to go for a routine consultation with the surgeon. These are on an experimental level, but it may clear the darkness for sure.

    The way to accessibility

    

    • High charges of treatment

    • Presence of advanced health infrastructure

    • Experienced professionals

    • Maintaining hygiene after grafting

      The prevalence of Trachoma is a global threat. Global, national, and regional level communication is necessary to combat the disease. Grass root level institutions must work together to eradicate the disease. 

      The awareness should reach every community, and equal distribution of amenities is crucial. Persistent efforts have brought down the cases. In 2010, the trachoma-affected people were about 320 million, while it dropped to 115 million in 2023.

      Stem cell applications beyond Trachoma

      As stem cells have renewing abilities, they can work in different organs of our body.

      

      Apart from corneal cell development, stem cells can be used for retinal damage and glaucoma. Therefore, they can build the retinal wall and maintain standard eye pressure.

      These cells can regenerate tissues and heal injuries. They can fix impaired spinal cords and repair the heart after a heart attack. They can regrow the burnt skin.

      Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia may be cured by using stem cells

      Outcomes of the discussion

      Stem cell therapies have wide functions across multiple angles of the health sector. Trachoma or other eye disorders can be removed using the stem cell mechanism. We are at the beginning of the knowledge of the numerous openings. This approach could pioneer a wave to overcome disabilities. Inventions, recognition, investments, and accessible technologies ensure that no Trachoma snatches an individual’s sight.