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World J Stem Cells. Jun 26, 2026; 18(6): 119826
Published online Jun 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.119826
Published online Jun 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.119826
Current applications and prospects of stem cells in the treatment of corneal diseases
Wei-Xing Xu, Guan-Yu Su, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, China
Author contributions: Xu WX contributed to completion of the manuscript, data analysis; Su GY is responsible for the overall content as the guarantor.
Supported by Henan Eye Hospital Establishes Special Fund for Basic Research, No. 25JCQN007.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Guan-Yu Su, MD, PhD, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, China.
Received: February 7, 2026
Revised: March 16, 2026
Accepted: April 27, 2026
Published online: June 26, 2026
Processing time: 139 Days and 1 Hours
Revised: March 16, 2026
Accepted: April 27, 2026
Published online: June 26, 2026
Processing time: 139 Days and 1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This review systematically elaborates stem cell-based therapies for corneal diseases, clarifying the therapeutic mechanisms of limbal stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, and highlights 3D bioprinting and gene editing as innovative technical supports, while pointing out key challenges in standardization, long-term safety and clinical translation for these therapies.