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Stem Cells and the Ocular Lens: Implications for Cataract Research and Therapy

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Regenerative Biology of the Eye

Part of the book series: Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine ((STEMCELL))

Abstract

A transparent and pliable lens is critical for good quality vision, effective motor and social development, life-long education and employment, and high quality of life. As individuals live beyond the age of 40 they experience progressive lens hardening, called presbyopia, that results in impaired vision due to a reduced ability to accommodate (i.e. to change focus between near and far objects). Due to its age of onset most people, at least in the developed world, will live roughly half their lives dealing with the vision-impairing consequences of presbyopia. Additionally, tens of millions of people have low vision or blindness due to the formation of lenticular opacities, called cataracts, that reduce lens transparency. Due to population ageing, age-related cataracts are becoming an increasing problem worldwide. Thus presbyopia and age-related cataracts are causing, and will increasingly cause, large social and economic hardship across the globe. While decades of research have provided some understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underpin these blinding conditions, new research and clinical therapies are needed to better treat these extensive, costly and life-altering conditions. Advances in stem cell research and technology provide a real opportunity to identify and develop these much-needed new therapies.

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Abbreviations

ARN:

Age-related nuclear

BMP:

Bone morphogenic protein

ESC:

Embryonic stem cell

FGF:

Fibroblast growth factor

IGF:

Insulin-like growth factor

IOL:

Intraocular lens

iPSC:

Induced pluripotent stem cell

Nd:YAG:

Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet

PCO:

Posterior capsule opacification

PSC:

Pluripotent stem cell

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The School of Medicine and The Molecular Medicine Research Group, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, NSW, Australia

    Patricia Murphy

  2. The School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, NSW, Australia

    Michael D. O’Connor

  3. The Molecular Medicine Research Group, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Michael D. O’Connor

Authors
  1. Patricia Murphy
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  2. Michael D. O’Connor
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Correspondence to Michael D. O’Connor .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Alice Pébay

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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Murphy, P., O’Connor, M.D. (2014). Stem Cells and the Ocular Lens: Implications for Cataract Research and Therapy. In: Pébay, A. (eds) Regenerative Biology of the Eye. Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0787-8_9

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