Bioengineered corneas have been used as implants in trials to restore vision to people with corneal diseases.
Twenty people in Iran and India with advanced keratoconus participated in a clinical pilot study led by researchers at Linköping University (LiU) and LinkoCare Life Sciences AB to trial the safety of the implants and a new non-invasive surgery method.
Researchers developed implants from collagen molecules within pig skin. Loose collagen molecules were stabilised to form a robust and transparent material that could withstand handling and implantation in the eye, said LiU.
Mehrdad Rafat, senior lecturer at LiU’s department of biomedical engineering and founder of the company LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, which manufactured the implants, said: ‘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.’
Neil Lagali, biomedical and clinical sciences professor at LiU, added that it will resolve the shortage of donated corneal tissue as they can be mass-produced and stored for up to two years.
A larger clinical study followed by market approval by regulatory authorities is needed before the implant can be used in healthcare.