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Biosynthetic corneas offer hope of curing the blind. In a trial of 10 vision-impaired
patients, a team led by Canadian Dr. May Griffith working with Sweden’s Linkoping University
eye surgeon Per Fagerholm, successfully implanted collagen equivalents of the cornea, which
is the transparent covering of the eye's surface that helps it focus light. Not only did they
note complete acceptance of the new synthetic material, the patients’ own cells were found
to re-grow in the collagen, resulting in regeneration of corneal nerves as well as other normalized
function. Moreover, their improved sight was comparable to those who received tissue from
human donors. Approximately 10 million persons worldwide suffer loss of vision due to corneal
disease or trauma each year. However, many are unable to be matched with a donated human
cornea for transplantation, especially in developing countries. The scientists thus
hope that this procedure could offer a successful substitution.
Our accolades and appreciation, Drs. Griffith, Fagerholm and medical teams for this ingenious
innovation to improving visual health. May your noble work continue to succeed in returning
sight to many across the globe�