American researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking technique to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness without invasive surgery. This scientific advancement could offer a safer and simpler alternative to traditional LASIK procedures.
Dr. Michael Hill, a chemistry professor at Occidental College, and Dr. Brian Wong, a surgeon at the University of California, presented their findings at the American Chemical Society’s fall meeting. They detailed their “electromechanical reshaping” technique, which involves modifying the pH level within corneal tissues using a precise electrical voltage. This allows for tissue reshaping without surgical incisions.
In initial experiments, the team used specialized platinum contact lenses as molds to shape the cornea. These lenses were placed on rabbit eyes within a saline solution mimicking natural tears. After just one minute, the cornea conformed to the shape of the lens, achieving results similar to LASIK but without incisions or complex surgical tools.
The experiment was conducted on 12 rabbit eyes, 10 of which had myopia (nearsightedness). Results showed an improvement in visual focus while maintaining the integrity of the corneal cells. The researchers also indicated that the technique could potentially treat certain cases of corneal opacity resulting from chemical exposure, which currently require complete corneal transplants.
The medical team emphasized that the technique is still in its experimental stages. The next phase will involve extensive studies on living animals to determine the treatment’s effectiveness across various vision impairment conditions.
Dr. Hill stated, “If this technique proves successful, it will be less expensive, reversible, and widely applicable, representing a fundamental shift in the field of ophthalmology.”
DZWatch will continue to monitor the progress of this exciting research.
