Eye Repair

October 10, 2007 | Source: Technology Review

A novel artificial cornea that adheres to eye cells could bring new hope to the estimated 10 million people worldwide who are blind because of corneal damage or disease.

Credit: Fraunhofer Institute

Credit: Fraunhofer Institute

The key to the new implant is a protein-coated polymer developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute, in Munich, Germany. The polymer, which is commercially available, repels water, so it won’t absorb tear-duct secretions that could cause it to swell. It also prohibits cell growth, so natural tissue will not cloud it over.