Regeneration and Replacement of the Corneal Endothelium: Advances in Cell Therapy, Tissue Engineering, Molecular and Pharmacologic Strategies

The authors aim to evaluate recent advancements in corneal endothelial cell therapy, tissue engineering, and pharmacologic strategies for the regeneration and replacement of the corneal endothelium, addressing the limitations of current endothelial keratoplasty due to donor tissue shortages. They compare various therapeutic modalities, including cultured donor-derived cell injections and emerging techniques like mitochondrial transfer and gene editing, based on their translational readiness and potential clinical applications. The review highlights the need for innovative, donor-independent approaches to improve treatment outcomes for corneal endothelial dysfunction.