27 August 2010
London, UK
Revolution In Petri Dish: Twin Breakthroughs Raise Hope For Millions
NEW VISION: Researcher May Griffith displays a biosynthetic cornea that can be implanted into the eye to restore sight
The new technique involves growing human tissue or collagen in the lab and then shaping it, using a contact lens mould.
Damaged and scarred tissue from the front of the eye is then removed and the "biosynthetic" replacement is stitched in its place, reports the Telegraph. Ultimately, existing cells and nerves in the eye grow over the artificial cornea, incorporating it fully into the eye.
Globally, diseases that lead to clouding of the cornea affect more than 10 million people, making them the most common cause of blindness.
The first trials of the operation have shown that it is just as successful as live tissue transplantation and in some cases patients have had their sight fully restored.
May Griffiths, of Linkoping University, Sweden, who led the study, said: "We were very excited by the results. The study is the first to show that an artificially fabricated cornea can integrate with the human eye and stimulate regeneration."
"With further research, this approach could help restore sight to millions of people who are waiting for a donated human cornea for transplantation," Griffiths added.
The cornea is a vulnerable shield or lens protecting the eye and plays a key role in creating vision. Patients did not experience any rejection reaction or require long–term immune suppression, which are serious sideeffects associated with the use of human donor tissue.
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