Researchers from the University of Birmingham reached the finals at the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Global Awards 2017 for their pioneering development of an anti-scarring drop that can be applied following injury to prevent scar formation.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham at the finals of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Global Awards 2017
The IChemE Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and achievement in the chemical, process and biochemical industries where entries demonstrated existing or potential industrial application, especially in the healthcare, food, agriculture, energy, water and chemical sectors.
Scarring is a major cause of blindness. Current treatment for scarring requires surgery or transplantation, meaning that a patient remains visually impaired for a long period of time before a transplant becomes available. A lack of facilities in developing countries often means that patients have complications and end up having permanent visual loss.
The research team, led by Professor Liam Grover, Professor Ann Logan, Miss Saaeha Rauz, Dr Graham Wallace and Professor Nicholas Barnes were finalists in the Biotechnology category at the IChemE Global Awards. They believe that this ground breaking treatment will revolutionise the cure of eye injuries and help improve the quality of lives of people all over the world by saving their sight.
The anti scarring eye drop will not only have significant positive impacts for patients, but also socio-economic impacts. Patients with ocular damage will carry a reduced direct and indirect cost of treatment as the eye drop may be self-administered in a home and/or community setting, negating the need for prolonged hospitalisation and clinic attendance.
In the near future, patients will be able to access this revolutionary sight saving eye drop to prevent the devastating consequences of corneal damage.
Find out more about the pioneering anti scarring research taking place within the Healthcare Technologies Institute.
