Researchers at the University of New South Wales, Australia, have developed a new technique using contact lenses capable of recreating the ocular surface.

The epithelium of the cornea is composed of several layers of cells that play a role of barrier and facilitating the dispersion of tears. When these cells are degraded, although they normally are renewed quickly, disorders of the cornea occur which can lead to blindness.

Treatments based on stem cells capable of reconstituting the ocular surface of patients with disorders of the cornea have shown their effectiveness. But their reactions to certain animal products, human and synthetic products make them complex to use.

The transfer technique using stem cells to conventional contact lens was tested on three patients with significant lesions of the cornea. The patient’s own cells were cultured on contact lenses, then transferred onto the surface of the cornea after ten days.

According to measurements made between eight and thirteen months after the tests, the epithelium of the cornea of patients was restored, with no side effects and with an improvement in vision. This procedure is simple, inexpensive, non-invasive and requires no human or animal products. It could be used in developing countries.