A revolutionary approach to treating chemical burns in the eye is beginning a clinical trial.
For the first time a tissue-softening enzyme, collagenase, will be used in patients who have suffered acid attacks or industrial accidents.
It follows research by a team from Newcastle University, UK, who earlier this year showed that applying collagenase to the cornea softens the underlying tissue allowing the stem cells situated there to repair any damage.
The first-in-man trial will examine how effective the enzyme is at softening the underlying tissue in the eye allowing the patient''s own stem cells to repair the damage and restore the patient''s sight.
Every year, about 2 million people worldwide become blind due to corneal trauma, with one in every five cases caused by chemical burns to the eye.
The trial involving 30 patients is funded by the Ulverscroft Foundation, a UK charity that supports organisations helping the visually impaired. It will be carried out in collaboration with Dr. Sayan Basu and Dr. Vivek Singh at the world-renowned LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India.
Professor Che Connon, the director of the study and leader of the Tissue Engineering Lab at Newcastle University said: "The simplicity and relative low cost of this therapy compared to existing approaches in which stem cells have to be transplanted is a game-changer. It greatly expands the number of potential patients being treated for corneal burns across the world, and may well have applications in other diseases."
