New Artificial Cornea Could Restore Vision For Millions
http://www.scienced aily.com/ releases/ 2008/05/08051910 1849.htm

ScienceDaily (May 20, 2008) — An improved artificial cornea, which
could restore the vision of more than 10 million people worldwide who
are blind due to diseased corneas, finally is moving toward reality,
scientists in California conclude in a new analysis of research on the
topic.

Curtis Frank, Christopher Ta, David Myung, and Jennifer Cochran point
out that disease or injury to the cornea -- the clear tissue covering
the front of the eye -- is the second leading cause of blindness
worldwide. Although treated in developed countries with transplants
from donors, cornea transplants are unavailable in many parts of the
world due to shortages of donors or to cultural or religious barriers.

The growing popularity of laser eye surgery also is reducing
availability of corneas by making them unacceptable for donation, the
researchers add.

The report describes new materials that already have made limited-use
artificial corneas available, partially fulfilling a medical dream
that dates to 1771. More advanced materials, including polymer
hydrogels similar to those used to make soft contact lenses, promise
to so closely imitate human donor corneas that "these devices could
eliminate the need for donor corneas altogether," the article notes.

Journal reference:

1. Development of Hydrogel-Based Keratoprostheses: A Materials
Perspective. Biotechnology Progress. June 6 2008. DOI:
10.1021/bp070476n

Adapted from materials provided by American Chemical Society.