We are developing a cell based method for the treatment of aniridia related keratopathy using a person’s own cells. The goal is to develop a method that is well tolerated in children and can be used to maintain vision during the person’s lifetime. Aniridia related keratopathy results from a decrease in the amount of PAX6 protein in the limbal stem cells and the cells that are produced by these cells. Our approach is to take a small sample of limbal cells from the individual with aniridia and then in the laboratory add back a functional copy of the PAX6 gene (represented by the green cells in the figure). These cells would then be grown on a substrate, such as a contact lens, that would allow the cells to be reintroduced into the patients eyes.