Blindness, which refers to the complete or major loss of vision, affects millions of people around the world. Scientists are also trying to develop treatment methods against this condition, which restricts our very important sense.
Now, a study published in Nature Biotechnology reveals that there is an exciting development for people who have lost their sight. Accordingly, implants made of pigskin enabled 20 people with corneal problems to regain their vision. Most of the patients were blind before receiving this bioengineered product.
It could eliminate the problem of people accessing treatments
Scientists at Linköping University in Sweden, after two years, 14 visually impaired people regained their sight; He explained that all three of them had perfect vision. Ophthalmology researcher Neil Lagali says: “This could help solve the problem of insufficient donated corneal tissue and access to treatments for eye diseases.”
According to the data, millions of people around the world suffer from vision loss due to corneal-related problems. Only 1 out of every 70 people manages to achieve a corneal transplant. It’s the only way they can regain their sight. The reason for such low access to treatment is the high cost of transplants and insufficient donations.
The researchers stated that they aim to make their inventions accessible to everyone, not just those with good financial standing. To achieve this, the team developed a suture-free technique to perform the implant procedure with less specialized conditions and equipment. Experts say that in this way, the surgeon will not need to take the patient’s tissue; instead, the existing corneal implant can be placed through an incision. Thus, it is noted that the method can be used in more hospitals and can reach a high number of people.
The method succeeded in improving eyesight as much as a corneal transplant
The team purified collagen from pig skin to create a new cornea. Chemical and photochemical methods were used to strengthen this soft material. As a result, a hydrogel called BPCDX was obtained. Developing their technique in animal models, the researchers then developed a simple method that eliminates the need for existing tissue and implants BPCDX into the recipient’s cornea.
Stating that the focusing capacity of the eye increased thanks to the implant, the study stated that the problem in the eye was healed. It was also stated that there was no adverse reaction after the operation and no extra treatment was needed. According to the researchers, the process was completed in eight weeks, along with the eye drops and the bandage.
The clinical trial had positive results in participants from India and Iran. Accordingly, participants experienced an increase in corneal thickness of more than 200 micrometers after two years. It was stated that there was a decrease in the curvature of the corneas, and the results improved the eyesight as much as a traditional corneal transplant.
The researchers now plan to conduct a larger clinical trial. The results also provide hope that this method could be highly effective against eye diseases, revealing that more people could access the treatment.
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