Assessment of Cataract Photobleaching Therapy in Animals

As the population grows older the instances of cataract increases. This disease causes cloudiness of the lens of the eye and leads to visual impairment and blindness. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness affecting over 51% of the global population. Accurate diagnosis is currently difficult, relying on the subjective judgement of the opthalmologist using a slit lamp microscope. The only treatment is by surgical intervention to substitute the natural lens with a plastic replacement. This project is based on significant research by Edinburgh Biosciences Ltd and partners into cataract formation, diagnosis and LED photobleaching treatment notably using extracted lenses and eyes. It will confirm laboratory experiments and translate into live data from a complete living eye confirming both the safety and ability to reverse cataract damage. Thus proving LED photobleaching is a non-invasive alternative to surgery. Furthermore monitoring the effects of LED treatment could reduce the development of cataracts to the point where they affect the quality of life. Success would enable patients to retain the natural lens with the advantages of avoiding surgery, removing the post-operative risks and maintaining the adaption capability of the natural lens. Such treatment would improve the quality of life for the increasing number of cataract sufferers while reducing the £330 Million cost of cataract surgery in the UK. Since cataract is a global problem, the market for an efficient solution is also global.