Bioengineered Cornea Implants

Posted By
10Pointer
Categories
Science & Technology
Published
18th Aug, 2022

Context

Recently, researchers in Sweden have been able to create a successful alternative bioengineered cornea implant made of collagen derived from pig skin.

About the recent research

The implant was used to successfully restore the vision of 20 people in India and Iran, most of whom were blind due to keratoconus, a disease that leads to thinning of the cornea.
Researchers claim that there is a severe shortage of corneas, with only one available for 70 patients.
This is not only cheaper and easier to access than donated corneas, but requires a less invasive procedure and can be stored for a significantly longer period up to two years.

While donated corneas must be used within two weeks, the bioengineered corneas can be stored for up to two years before use.

An estimated 12.7 million people around the world are blind due to their corneas.
As a substitute for human corneas, the researchers utilised medical-grade collagen derived from pig skin, a by-product of the food industry that is already used in medical devices for glaucoma surgery.

The cornea consists mainly of the protein collagen.

Method

The researchers developed a minimally invasive method without the use of stitches, where a small incision is made in the patient’s eye, and the implant is inserted over the existing cornea.
This can be done with high-precision lasers or by using readily available surgical instruments.

Cornea

The transparent avascular tissue part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil and allows light to enter the inside is called Cornea.
It helps the eye in 2 ways:

It helps to shield the rest of the eye from germs, dust, and other harmful matter. The cornea shares this protective task with the eyelids, the eye socket, tears, and the sclera, or white part of the eye.
It acts as the eye’s outermost lens. It functions like a window that controls and focuses the entry of light into the eye. The cornea contributes between 65-75 percent of the eye’s total focusing power.