An Artificial Cornea is in Sight, Thanks to Biomimetic Hydrogels

http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2006/september13/cornea-091306.html?

The cornea of the eye is positioned as the outermost lens, serving as a shield for the eye from dust and germs as well as contributing to up to seventy-five percent of the eye’s focusing power. A damaged or diseased cornea is the cause of blindness for at least ten million people worldwide, and a misshapen cornea is the source of nearsighted or farsightedness in many millions more worldwide. However, thanks to a new advancement in the field of biomimetics, there may, for the first time, be a solution. This article appeared in the Stanford University News on September 13, 2006. In it, author Dawn Levy details the potential that his novel biomiemetic material could have in the field of artificial corneas.

This innovative new technology is nothing more than a

polymer that is capable of holding a large amount of water. The material, invented by a team of ophthalmologists, bioengineers and chemical engineers, is called Duoptix and can swell to a water content of about eighty percent – the same capacity of that of a biological tissue. A very important aspect of this biocompatible hydrogel is that it is transparent as well as permeable to nutrients, including glucose, the cornea’s favorite energy source. In order to make the artificial cornea, the hydrogel has been shaped into a disc with a clear center and very small pores that populate the periphery, allowing cells to permeate the artificial lens and integrate it into the surrounding tissue.

Artificial corneas have been developed in the past, but none have been well tolerated by patients. Currently the only other option in the way of artificial corneas is corneal transplant from cadavers. However, this donor tissue has about a twenty percent rejection rate, and a visual recovery of about six months. This new hydrogel, has the potential to make these problems of the past with a simple, fast, and incredibly effective artificial lens.

Personally, I see this is an incredible breakthrough in biomimetics. This polymer may be artificial in the way that it’s produced, however, it receives inspiration from real molecules, synthesized by human tissue cells. Basically, although it’s technically artificial, this material is being modeled after the best subject that we have: the human body itself. In my mind there is no better way to create a solution, than to model it after the system that is creating the problem. Although human cadaveric tissue has appeal in that it is truly a human solution the Duoptix lens is able to create the same effect as real tissue, yet bypass the problem that comes up in all types of organ transplant – rejection of a different human body’s tissue. Additionally, this artificial cornea is not out of financial reach of many people who may need it. It is not a very pricey procedure and thus, in regard to the current issues with healthcare it is the most sensible option. It’s reliable, durable, and within a reasonable price range.