Sight can be restored to the visually impaired using bioengineered cornea

An implant of collagen protein from pig’s skin, resembling the human cornea, has been developed by researchers. In a pilot study, twenty people with diseased corneas had their vision restored by the implant, most of which were blind prior to receiving the implant.
The study, jointly led by researchers at LinkoCare Life Sciences AB and Linköping University (LiU), provides promising results, bringing hope to those suffering from low vision and cornea blindness. The bioengineered implant is an alternative to the transplantation of donated human corneas, which are rare in countries where they are in highest demand.
Approximately thirteen million people around the world are blind as a result of a diseased or damaged cornea, the transparent outermost layer of the eye. Receiving a transplanted from a human donor is their only way of regaining vision. But only one in seventy patients actually receive that transplant. Additionally, most of those in need of a cornea transplant live in low/middle income countries, where access to treatment is inadequate.
Mehrdad Rafat, the researcher behind the design and development of the implants, has stated, “Safety and effectiveness of the bioengineered implants have been the core of our work. We’ve made significant efforts to ensure that our invention will be widely available and affordable by all and not just by the wealthy. That’s why this technology can be used in all parts of the world.”
The cornea comprises mainly of collagen, therefore the researchers used collagen molecules derived from pig skin to create a substitute to the human cornea, they were created under strict conditions for human use and were highly purified.