• Therapeutic Cataract & Refractive
  • Lens Technology
  • Glasses
  • Ptosis
  • AMD
  • COVID-19
  • DME
  • Ocular Surface Disease
  • Optic Relief
  • Geographic Atrophy
  • Cornea
  • Conjunctivitis
  • LASIK
  • Myopia
  • Presbyopia
  • Allergy
  • Nutrition
  • Pediatrics
  • Retina
  • Cataract
  • Contact Lenses
  • Lid and Lash
  • Dry Eye
  • Glaucoma
  • Refractive Surgery
  • Comanagement
  • Blepharitis
  • OCT
  • Patient Care
  • Diabetic Eye Disease
  • Technology

NASA awards $5 million to artificial retina development efforts

Article

key opens lock in eye

LambdaVision and its partner SpaceTango have been selected by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to receive a $5 million reward toward the development of the first protein-based artificial retina. Researchers hope the novel treatment will help blind patients and those with significant sight loss due to advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP) regain sight. The artificial retina offers secondary application as well in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) andother retinal degenerative diseases, according to the company.

The protein-based, artificial retinas produced in the program imitate human photoreceptors’ light-absorbing properties. They are capable of awakening deteriorating retinas of blind and nearly blind patients, thereby regaining sight.

Related: Companies offer CE, other resources amid coronavirus pandemic

The award includes a series of flights to the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. national laboratory over a three-year period to improve on-orbit processes relating to the production of artificial retinas. LambdaVision and SpaceTango are focused on using the microgravity environment to optimize manufacturing parameters for the assembly of retinal implants.

Artificial retinas are already produced on Earth through a layer-by-layer construction process, but researchers at LambdaVision believes microgravity may reduce the amount of materials required, thereby lowering costs and accelerating manufacturing.

Once the process is legitimized and production goals are reached, it could lead the way for more space-manufactured medical products to be developed.

In a statement, Twyman Clements, co-founder and chief executive officer of SpaceTango says, “As we explore the seemingly immense ways in which microgravity can benefit the development and production of a wide range of products, our long-term collaboration with LambdaVision continues to provide us with valuable learnings that might one day help some patients regain sight and may also lead to other important production discoveries.”

More by Brooke Beery: COVID-19: Key metrics ranked by state

Related Videos
World Optometry Day 2024
Nicholas Gilberg, OD, gives a tutorial on EssilorLuxottica's Leonardo team practice management programs
Chris and Jamie Shyer, Zyloware Eyewear co-CEOs, after their NOW Optical Lifetime Achievement award win at Vision Expo East
Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, discusses systemic medication and ocular adverse effects at Vision Expo East 2024
At Vision Expo East 2024, Srinivas Kondapalli, MD, demonstrates how to use Rinsada to address ocular surface disease.
Brujic at Rinsada Booth at Vision Expo East 2024
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.