A research team from the University of Ottawa, together with their collaborators, have unveiled the significant promise of a blue-light-activated, injectable biomaterial for immediate repair of the eye’s exterior, domed layer. The study was sponsored by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa.
This new research indicates that bio-inspired materials, when exposed to low-power blue light, can remodel and increase the thickness of impaired corneas. This revolutionary discovery could potentially benefit millions of individuals worldwide.
This team of researchers at the University of Ottawa, working with their partners, discovered the vast potential of an injectable biomaterial, activated by low-intensity blue light, for instant repair of the eye’s exterior curved layer.
Taking inspiration from nature, the team used a design strategy based on biomimicry. Their multidisciplinary research results convincingly demonstrate that a new light-activated material can effectively reform and augment damaged corneal tissue, thereby fostering healing and recovery.
The technology could revolutionize the field of corneal repair, given that a large number of people worldwide suffer from corneal diseases, with only a minority being candidates for corneal transplantation. Corneal transplants currently represent the best treatment option for conditions leading to corneal thinning, such as keratoconus, a poorly understood eye disease resulting in vision loss for many.
“We are excited about this significant advance in corneal repair technology. We believe it could offer a practical solution for patients with diseases that adversely affect the shape and structure of the cornea, including keratoconus,” says Dr. Emilio Alarcon, Associate Professor at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and a researcher at the BioEngineering and Therapeutic Solutions (BEaTS) group at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Corneas are the dome-shaped front surface of the eye, lying ahead of the iris and pupil. They guide and control light entering the eye, playing a critical role in clear vision. However, damage or infection can cause corneal scarring.
The joint research was published in the esteemed scientific journal, Advanced Functional Materials.
The team developed and tested biomaterials composed of short peptides and natural polymers called glycosaminoglycans. As a viscous fluid, the material is injected into the corneal tissue after a small pocket is surgically made. When exposed to low-power blue light, the peptide-based hydrogel injected hardens and forms a tissue-like 3D structure within minutes. According to Dr. Alarcon, this material then becomes transparent with properties akin to those observed in pig corneas.
In vivo experiments using a rat model suggested the light-activated hydrogel could thicken corneas without adverse effects. The team, which used a smaller dosage of blue light compared to other studies, also successfully tested the technology on an ex vivo pig cornea model. Testing on larger animal models will be necessary before human clinical trials can commence.
Dr. Alarcon, whose lab at uOttawa is focused on developing new materials with regenerative capabilities for heart, skin, and cornea tissues, commented, “Our material was engineered to utilize the energy of blue light to trigger the immediate assembly of the material into a cornea-like structure. Our aggregate data suggests that the materials are safe and persist for several weeks in an animal model. We expect our material to be stable and safe in human corneas.”
The comprehensive research spanned over seven years to reach the publication stage.
“Each part of the components involved in the technology, from the light source to the molecules used in the study, had to be engineered. The technology was developed to be clinically applicable, implying all components must be designed to be ultimately manufacturable following strict sterility standards,” Dr. Alarcon explained.
The findings of the research are currently the subject of a patent application, which is under negotiation for licensing.
Dr. Alarcon, the study’s lead author who oversaw the material design aspect of the research, worked alongside Dr. Marcelo Muñoz and Aidan MacAdam of uOttawa in the development of this innovative technology. Interdisciplinary collaborators included Dr. May Griffith, a cornea regeneration expert, and Dr. Isabelle Brunette, an ophthalmology and corneal transplant specialist from the Université de Montréal.
The project was supported by a Collaborative Health Research Projects grant, an NSERC Discovery grant, the Government of Ontario, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Corneal Repair
What is the breakthrough in corneal repair that the researchers have found?
The research team from the University of Ottawa, along with their collaborators, have discovered a blue-light-activated, injectable biomaterial that can immediately repair and reshape damaged corneas.
How does this new technology work?
The injectable biomaterial, composed of short peptides and natural polymers called glycosaminoglycans, is introduced into corneal tissue after a small pocket is surgically created. When the material is exposed to low-intensity blue light, it hardens and forms a tissue-like 3D structure within minutes. This material then becomes transparent with properties similar to those observed in pig corneas.
Who could potentially benefit from this discovery?
This new technology could potentially benefit millions of people worldwide suffering from corneal diseases, including those affected by keratoconus, a poorly understood eye disease that results in vision loss. It provides a practical solution for patients whose diseases negatively affect corneal shape and geometry.
When can we expect this technology to be used in human clinical trials?
Before proceeding to human clinical trials, the technology will need to be tested on larger animal models. The time frame for this process is not explicitly mentioned in the study.
Is this technology safe?
In vivo experiments using a rat model suggested the light-activated hydrogel could thicken corneas without adverse effects. The research team expects the material to be stable and safe in human corneas, but further testing and regulatory approval will be needed before it can be used in clinical practice.
Who supported this research?
The project was supported by a Collaborative Health Research Projects grant, an NSERC Discovery grant, the Government of Ontario, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
More about Corneal Repair
- University of Ottawa
- BioEngineering and Therapeutic Solutions (BEaTS) group
- Study: Low Energy Blue Pulsed Light-Activated Injectable Materials for Restoring Thinning Corneas
- NSERC Discovery grant
- Collaborative Health Research Projects
5 comments
This is amazing. The wonders of biomimicry never cease to amaze me. Huge respect to the researchers behind this.
Sounds really promising but i wonder how soon we can expect this in our local hospitals. Hope it’s sooner rather than later.
I’ve a friend with keratoconus, and this sounds like great news. Fingers crossed this research moves quickly to human trials.
I read the whole thing twice! this is real star trek stuff happening. Kudos to the team at Ottawa Uni. Can’t wait to hear more about this in future!
wow! thats some next level science right there. never thought light could be used to heal the eyes!! science is awesome.