Dead Eyes Revived to Boost Transplant Potential

Dead eyeballs are coming back to life. A new technology has been developed that revives eyeballs from deceased donors, increasing the potential for transplants. This technology preserves eyeballs, which rapidly degenerate after removal from the body, opening a new path for eye transplant surgery.

Existing eye transplant surgeries have faced difficulties in achieving success due to the rapid damage of eyeballs after being removed from the body. Past transplant attempts were limited by the inability of the transplanted eyeballs to restore vision.

The 'ECaBox', developed by Pia Cosma's research team at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain, supplies a special oxygen-rich fluid through the ophthalmic artery. This device applies perfusion technology, which continuously circulates the fluid, to slow down the degeneration of the eyeball and preserve its ability to transmit electrical signals.

This device presents a new method for maintaining and reviving removed eyeballs outside the body. It is expected to become a new turning point for future retinal preservation research.