Advances in Stem Cell Therapies for Ocular Diseases: Progress in Clinical Trials and Future Perspectives.

Stem cell-based therapies hold promise for vision-threatening ocular diseases by promoting tissue repair and restoring visual function. Stem cells are classified by differentiation potential into two main types. Pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), possess the capacity to differentiate into somatic cells. Multipotent adult stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are restricted to differentiating into cell types within specific lineages. The therapeutic potential of stem cells is discussed in the context of treating corneal diseases, glaucoma, and retinal disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This review focuses on the clinical trials of stem cell therapies for ocular diseases and discusses prospects in the field. Despite the considerable promise of these preclinical results in restoring visual function, significant challenges in clinical application remain, such as insufficient long-term cell survival, incomplete functional integration into host tissues, and the potential risk of oncogenic transformation. Future progress will depend on the development of standardized protocols, efficient delivery methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration to effectively translate preclinical advances into clinical applications.