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.