Drops instead of a scalpel

Eye drops will replace a scalpel in the treatment of corneal injuries

Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+

British scientists have created a technology for treating serious corneal injuries without surgical intervention: the new drops contain natural protein and heal damage without scarring.

Scientists from the University of Birmingham have developed eye drops that quickly and effectively cope with scars on the surface of the eyes. The composition of the drops includes a natural protein called decorin, which has a wound-healing property, according to the university's website (University of Birmingham develops sight-saving treatment for eye infection or trauma).

Scarring on the cornea usually occurs due to infection or microtrauma of the eye. The result is vision problems, corneal opacity, or even blindness.

While surgery remains the only way to remedy the situation, however, corneal transplantation is not available to all patients and has serious risks of rejection.

As a simple alternative, scientists suggest eye drops. The new drug is designed to retain decorin in the cornea.

Drops form a special therapeutic "bandage" in the area of injury and promote healing without scars.

The drug also forms a protective barrier that protects the surface of the eyes from further damage, the authors specify. Drops are eventually removed from the cornea during blinking.

Now the team is improving the composition of drops to enhance the effectiveness of the drug. Scientists emphasize that their method will save the sight of thousands of people, especially in developing countries, where surgical treatment is very difficult to obtain.

In search of alternatives, another group of scientists from the UK printed the cornea on a 3D printer for the first time. So far, the created corneas are undergoing various safety tests, but this achievement opens the way to unlimited production of corneas for transplantation.

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