A slice of donor cornea may patch thinning eyes — a trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT04848740
First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether implanting a thin layer of fresh donor corneal tissue — complete with living cells — can thicken the cornea and improve vision in people with progressive corneal disease. Using a femtosecond laser, surgeons create a pocket in the patient's cornea and insert the lenticule. The study will measure changes in corneal thickness and transparency.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a fresh human corneal lenticule (stromal tissue with stem cells and live keratocytes) implanted into the cornea using the ReLex-Smile femtosecond laser technique
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to restore corneal thickness and transparency in people with progressive corneal disease, potentially improving vision without a full corneal transplant.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage, non-randomized trial with no control group. Risks include infection, graft rejection, or failure to improve vision. Long-term safety and effectiveness are not yet known.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Eye Hospital Pristina
Pristina, 10000, Kosovo