Many people choose to correct their vision through laser correction techniques such as LASIK. But this surgery requires cutting of corneal tissue, which carries certain risks. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are exploring a new technology for "de laser" vision correction that reshapes the cornea through electrical current instead of cutting it. The relevant results were announced on the 18th at the American Chemical Society's fall annual meeting. The human cornea is a transparent arched structure located in the front of the eye, which refracts ambient light and focuses it onto the retina, then transmits it to the brain to form an image. If the shape of the cornea is abnormal, it cannot focus light correctly, resulting in blurred vision. LASIK surgery uses laser to remove some corneal tissue to correct corneal morphology. People generally believe that this surgery is relatively safe, but there are still limitations and risks, and laser cutting of the cornea can weaken the structural stability of the eye. The researchers are exploring a method called "electro-mechanical remodeling". The principle behind this is that many collagen rich tissues (including the cornea) rely on the attraction of molecules with opposite charges to maintain their shape. When an electric current is applied to the tissue, it changes its pH value, temporarily weakening the attraction between these molecules and making the tissue soft and plastic. After the pH value is restored, the tissue is fixed in its new form. In the latest experiment, researchers made special platinum "contact lenses". They can serve as both molds for corneal correction and electrodes. When researchers put platinum lenses on the cornea of rabbits and placed them in a salt solution that simulates tears, the lenses triggered precise pH changes under the action of potential. After about 1 minute, the curvature of the cornea conforms to the shape of the lens. This process takes about the same amount of time as LASIK, but with fewer steps, cheaper equipment, and no need for incisions. In the experiment, 10 out of 12 rabbits simulated myopia. The results showed that these "myopic eyes" achieved the preset focusing effect after processing, indicating that they had regained clear vision. Meanwhile, researchers ensured the survival of corneal cells after treatment by strictly controlling the pH gradient. Further experiments have shown that this method can partially reverse corneal opacity caused by chemical damage, which can currently only be treated through corneal transplantation. Although the initial results are encouraging, researchers emphasize that the experiment is still in a very early stage. Next, they will test the applicability of this method in different types of refractive errors, such as hyperopia and astigmatism. (New Society)