Artificial cornea restored sight to blind man

From Israel, we have the news of a blind man who regained his sight after being equipped with a new type of corneal implant.

The surgery was so successful that, immediately after the process, the patient was able to recognize family members and read numbers.

A new corneal implant returned vision to totally blind

The company named CorNeat developed a promising implant that restored sight to a 78-year-old blind man. As it was divulged, KPro is the first implant that can be integrated directly into the ocular wall, in order to replace scarred or deformed corneas, as well as to annul the need for a tissue donor.

Although artificial corneal implants already exist for patients who have deteriorated it, the surgeries are complex and usually performed as a last resort. This, after being considered other procedures.

So, the implantation of KPro, unlike other conventional surgeries, is a relatively simple procedure that requires virtually no cuts and stitches. Moreover, according to CorNeat, the implant uses biomimetic material that encourages cellular proliferation, facilitating the integration of tissues.

In fact, right after the surgery, the patient was able to recognize family members and read numbers in an ophthalmologic picture.

An animation shows the implant process

To understand, the animation below shows the process through which the cornea is implanted, as well as the final result.

According to CorNeat, fibroblasts and collagen facilitate the integration of the elements, which is completed after a few weeks. Thus, the artificial cornea stays permanently inside the patient’s eye. Moreover, this promising implant guarantees “exceptionally fast healing times” and a much more natural appearance.

After years of hard work, seeing a colleague implant the CorNeat KPro with ease and seeing a fellow human being regain their sight the next day was electrifying and emotionally moving. There were many tears in the room.

Now and after the success of the 78-year-old patient, the company has ten other patients on a waiting list for trials in Israel, as well as the plan to open up more opportunities in Canada, France, the US and the Netherlands.