Clinical trials on a revolutionary approach to treat chemical burns will commence at LVPEI

clinical trials lead by  Dr Sayan Basu and Dr Vivek Singh on a revolutionary approach to treating chemical burns in the eye are about to start at LVPEI. Funded by the Ulverscroft Foundation, UK, the trials will be carried out on 30 patients. For the first time, a tissue-softening enzyme -collagenase – will be used in patients who have suffered acid attacks or industrial accidents. The first-in-man trial will examine how effective the enzyme is at softening the underlying tissue in the eye, allowing the patients’ own stem cells to repair the damage and restore the patient’s sight. The clinical trial follows research by a team from Newcastle University, UK, who earlier this year showed that applying collagenase to the cornea softens the underlying tissue, allowing the stem cells situated there to repair any damage.

If the trial is successful, it can save time and money in treating alkali burn patients, without the need for long term follow-up and the use of limbal transplantation. Recovery too can be faster for the patient.