University of Liverpool wins funding for vision research

Funding worth £1.3m has been awarded to the University of Liverpool to design and produce advanced materials to combat vision loss.

A five-year ‘Engineering Fellowship for Growth’ was awarded to Professor Rachel Williams who would bring together eye and vision science, engineering, chemistry and physics departments.

A statement by the university said researchers would work on new materials that could be used as artificial corneas – removing the need for patients to wait for a transplant.

They would also develop contact lenses manufactured in a more environmentally friendly way and that can be adapted to carry drugs to help people recover from wounds to the eye or to fight infections.