Sight of eight patients was improved by cultured stem cells from eyes with Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, a painful, blinding disease, British doctors said.

"Corneal cloudiness has been estimated to cause blindness in 8 million people each year. A large number of ocular surface diseases, both acquired and congenital, share features of partial or complete LSCD," said a member of the NESCI team Dr Francisco Figueiredo.

Chemical burns to the eye are the most common cause of LSCD.

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, LSCD, requires long-term, costly treatment with frequent hospital visits. The advance of corneal stem cells may alleviate much of that and aid people with other cornea problems, said Dr Figueiredo.

"This study demonstrates that transplantation of cultured corneal stem cells without the use of animal cells or products is an effective method of reconstructing the corneal surface and restoring useful sight in patients with unilateral LSCD," said a co-author of the study.

Future research will ascertain whether this therapy could be used to treat conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, he said.

"This research seems promising to hundreds of people by helping them regain their sight. These results offer a new hope for people with LSCD," added the co-author.