Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have released study findings regarding a new Living eye drop.
This revolutionary new eye drop genetically modifies eye microbes to promote corneal wound treatment with just one drop. The drops are comprised of the beneficial bacteria known as Corynebacterium mastitidis, which are naturally found under our eyelids. When normal eye drops are instilled in the eye, they are washed away by tears, which severely limits their therapeutic effect. By using these bacteria that occur normally in the eye, the drop is able to stay in place without being eliminated by tears.
Researchers genetically modified the bacteria so that they would create therapeutic parts while still in the eye. This genetic information causes the bacteria to produce an anti-inflammatory protein, which reduces eye inflammation and aids wound recovery continuously. The eye drops are also effective in treating eye inflammation and severe dry eye syndrome.
Efficacy tests were conducted on mice with the study results showing that the mice treated with the living eye drops having much faster corneal wound recovery compared to the mice only treated with saline drops.
Additional research is needed to develop technology to safely remove the microbes once the therapy is completed.
