Researchers in Japan say they have transplanted eye cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. They say it is the world's first surgery of its kind.

The group is led by Fujita Health University Professor Shimmura Shigeto and includes researchers from Keio University.

In October, they injected a solution containing about 800,000 iPS-derived cells into the cornea of a patient in his 70s.

They performed the transplant at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo.

The man had a serious eye disease in which the cornea becomes clouded and the vision reduces.

The group says there have been no complications so far, and the man's eyesight shows signs of improvement.

Currently, transplantation of the cornea is the only basic remedy for the disease.

The group says about 10,000 patients are waiting for a transplant, but only 2,000 procedures are performed each year.

Shimmura says the group finally carried out their work after 10 years of research.

Induced pluripotent stem cells can develop into various kinds of body tissue.