Iran ranks among world's top five in eye stem cell treatment, ophthalmology official says

Hamed Ghassemi, head of the Iranian Ophthalmology Association, announced on Wednesday that Iran ranks among the world's top five countries in eye stem cell treatment, according to Mehr News Agency. He said the procedure is used for patients with severe eye injuries caused by chemical and thermal burns.

On the costs and success rate of eye stem cell transplants in the country, Ghassemi stated that the costs are fully covered by the government and that the procedure has a success rate of over 85 percent. He did not provide further details on the number of patients treated or the institutions involved.

The announcement places Iran's ophthalmology sector alongside the leading countries in this area of regenerative medicine. Stem cell therapy for the eye is used in cases where burns or other severe injuries damage the surface of the eye and conventional treatments are insufficient.

Ghassemi's remarks were reported by Mehr News Agency, which also listed ophthalmology, stem cells and Royan Stem Cells Technologies Company among the topics connected to the story. The report did not elaborate on the role of that company or on any international comparisons behind the top-five ranking.

According to Mehr News Agency, the treatment's costs are borne entirely by the government and its success rate exceeds 85 percent, as stated by the head of the Iranian Ophthalmology Association.