Efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for dry eye disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kai-Yang Chen, Hoi-Chun Chan, Chi-Ming Chan
Abstract
Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular surface disorder characterized by loss of tear film homeostasis, inflammation, neurosensory abnormalities, and epithelial damage. Despite the availability of topical immunomodulators and procedural interventions, a substantial proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe or refractory DED experience persistent symptoms and inadequate ocular surface recovery. Stem cell-based therapies, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived exosomes, have emerged as regenerative and immunomodulatory strategies aimed at restoring epithelial integrity and tear film stability rather than providing solely symptomatic relief. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of stem cell and stem cell-derived therapies in human DED.