Artificial corneas grown in the laboratory have been transplanted into patient's eyes for the first time in an operation that offers hope to millions of partially sighted people. Scientists hope the breakthrough will also slash the cornea transplant waiting list which every year falls short by more than 500 in Britain alone.
The new technique involves growing human tissue or collagen in the laboratory and then shaping it using a contact lens mould. Damaged and scarred tissue from the front of the eye is then removed and the "biosynthetic" replacement is stitched in its place.
Eventually existing cells and nerves in the eye grow over the artificial cornea incorporating it fully into the eye. The first trials of the operation have shown that it is just as successful as live tissue transplantation and in some cases patients have had their sight fully restored.
Dr May Griffiths, of Linköping University, in Sweden, said: "We were very excited by the results. "This study is the first to show an artificially fabricated cornea can integrate with the human eye and stimulate regeneration.
"With further research, this approach could help restore sight to millions of people who are waiting for a donated human cornea for transplantation. "There is a shortage of donors and this could solve that problem. It can also be done at a fraction of the cost."
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