12 April 2017 - The Department of Health has asked NICE to produce guidance on using ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells in the NHS in England by patients with limbal stem cell deficiency.

Holoclar (ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells) is recommended as an option in people with moderate to severe limbal stem cell deficiency (defined by the presence of superficial corneal neovascularisation in at least 2 corneal quadrants, with central corneal involvement, and severely impaired visual acuity) after eye burns, only if:

• only 1 eye is treated and they have already had a conjunctival limbal allograft from a living, related donor and/or a conjunctival limbal autograft when 1 eye is affected, or
  
• they have already had a conjunctival limbal allograft when both eyes are affected and
  
• the company provides it with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme
  

Read NICE draft guidance for Holoclar