Iranian researchers develop corneal ring inserts

Young journalists club

News ID: 5284
Iran » Iran
Publish Date: 11:31 - 14 October 2014
Tehran, YJC. Researchers of Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (IPPI) are developing corneal ring inserts for treating keratoconus, using silicone acrylate monomer (SAM).

Project manager Dr. Parvin Shokrollahi said in an interview reported by IRNA that the investigators will complete the project by mid-May 2015.

She noted that keratoconus is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than the more normal gradual curve.

The researcher stated that in the mildest form of keratoconus, eyeglasses may help, but as the disease progresses and the cornea thins away and becomes increasingly more irregular in shape, glasses no longer provide adequate vision correction.

"Most of the corrective lenses are silicone-based and used to treat advanced keratoconus,” she said.

The faculty member of the institute further said enough oxygen should reach the surface of patients’ eyes through the lenses, adding that the researchers have produced a nanostructure that enables a lot more oxygen go through the lens.

"Animal trials will start in the near future,” she said, adding that producing the lenses helps 30 percent save in terms of currency.

Corneal ring inserts are two tiny, clear crescent-shaped pieces of a plastic polymer inserted into the cornea to reshape the front surface of the eye.

They can be replaced with different-size implants or removed for good. Patients have the option of replacing them with new rings at a later date if their prescription changes with age.

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