17 Jun, 2024
Promising findings by QEI researchers have been published in the journal of The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
QEI researchers are working on materials to treat or replace damaged or diseased tissue in the eye, focusing on therapies for floppy eyelid syndrome.
The research investigates how to strengthen collagen naturally occurring in the eye, using light energy to promote chemical and structural changes to the collagen and make it more resilient.
Collagens are the most abundant proteins in the human body. They provide structure, support or strength to skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues. They’re also found in the body’s organs, blood vessels and intestinal lining.
Collagens can be modified chemically and can also be crosslinked (bonded) to increase strength and stability. Also, they are particularly useful for medical therapies because they can be broken down, converted and absorbed back into the body.
Scientists routinely source collagen from animals and process them as biomaterials for:
Wound dressing – Collagen helps wounds heal by attracting new skin cells to the wound.
Periodontics – Collagen acts as a barrier to prevent fast-growing gum tissue from developing into a wound in a tooth, giving the tooth cells the time they need to regenerate.
Dermal fillers – Collagen injections can fill out shallow depressions in skin, such as lines and wrinkles.
Tissue engineering – Collagen is used to create grafts and parts of organs for regeneration of diseased tissues. Human donor collagen tissue grafts have been used in vascular medicine to reconstruct arteries, help regenerate peripheral nerves and make artificial blood vessels.
Crosslinking collagen is a process which creates bonds to stiffen the tissue, making it less likely to break down or change shape. Crosslinking native collagen in living connective tissues is known as exogenous crosslinking. Crosslinks are introduced deliberately to change the mechanical and physiological properties of the native tissue.
There are different ways to achieve crosslinking, including photochemical methods. These methods rely on light energy, which is selective, so that only the region or tissue of interest is crosslinked.
Exogenous crosslinking is currently used to treat keratoconus, an eye condition that can lead to severe vision loss if left untreated. A combination of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet (UVA) light strengthens the crosslinks between the collagen fibres within the stroma layer of the cornea, arresting keratoconus.
QEI researchers are investigating whether photochemical exogenous crosslinking can also be used to treat eyelid laxity. This research is directed from QEI in Brisbane with significant work undertaken through the George E. Palade University of Medicine, Science, Pharmacy and Technology in Romania.
QEI research in this field is ongoing, supported by donations made through the Queensland Eye Institute Foundation.
For more detail information about this important research, see these related journal articles by QEI Chief Scientist Professor Traian Chirila and his colleagues.