A new invisible film made from healthy corneal cells could restore vision to millions

[eppur_se_muova]

PETER DOCKRILL
16 AUG 2016

Scientists in Australia have developed a technique for growing corneal cells on a thin layer of film in the lab, which can then be implanted into the eye to restore vision lost to corneal damage.

The method, which has so far been successfully demonstrated in animal trials, could have the potential to dramatically increase access to corneal transplants – which could change the lives of some 10 million people worldwide.

"We believe that our new treatment performs better than a donated cornea, and we hope to eventually use the patient's own cells, reducing the risk of rejection," says biomedical engineer Berkay Ozcelik, who led the research while at the University of Melbourne. "Further trials are required but we hope to see the treatment trialled in patients next year."

The cornea is the eye's outermost layer. To keep healthy, it needs to stay moist and transparent, but ageing, disease, and trauma can all lead to corneal damage, such as swelling, which results in vision deterioration.

Corneal transplants are currently the most effective way of restoring vision lost to corneal damage, but there's a significant shortage of donor corneas. More than 47,000 cornea transplants took place in the US in 2014, but there's not enough donor tissue to satisfy the global demand.
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more: http://www.sciencealert.com/a-new-invisible-film-made-from-healthy-corneal-cells-could-restore-vision-to-millions?perpetual=yes&limitstart=1

[anamandujano]

1. Wow!

Hats off to these researchers.

[Warpy]

2. Great news!

I knew they were doing thin film donor transplants, I've been told it's a possibility for me when my other cornea conks out.

Still, the full donor transplant is a very big deal to go through, much bigger than I expected at the time. Recovery is long and discomfort is extreme, especially in the beginning. Anything that could eliminate any of that is a great thing, even if donor cells are used and antirejection drops required afterward.