Lab-created corneas used to restore vision

[IDemo]

Eyesight improved in six out of 10 patients in small trial

By LAURAN NEERGAARD
updated 8/25/2010 5:19:43 PM ET


WASHINGTON — Scientists have created a new kind of artificial cornea, inserting a sliver of collagen into the eye that coaxes its own natural corneal cells to regrow and restore vision.

It worked in a first-stage study of 10 patients in Sweden, researchers reported Wednesday. And while larger studies are needed, it's a step toward developing an alternative to standard cornea transplants that aren't available in much of the world because of a shortage of donated corneas.

"We're trying to regenerate the cornea from within," said Dr. May Griffith, senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada and a professor of regenerative medicine at Linkoping University in Sweden.

Vision depends on a healthy cornea, the film-like covering of the eye's surface that helps it focus light. Corneas are fragile, easily harmed by injury or infection, and about 42,000 people in the U.S. receive transplanted corneas every year. While that's considered an adequate supply in this country, donated corneas aren't available in many countries for the estimated 10 million people worldwide with corneal blindness. Transplants also bring risk of rejection.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38851963/ns/health-health_care/

[nebenaube]

1. If only they could find a way to soften them... n/t

[NBachers]

2. Yup- the transplant I received a few years back has rejection problems

I'm not sure what we're going to be able to do about it