Scientists have developed a tiny implant, no bigger than a pinhead, which sits inside the cornea to reverse vision problems in ageing eyes.
As some people age, their ability to switch focus between near and distant objects diminishes, a condition known as presbyopia. It can skew the perception of depth and makes reading in poor light impossible.
Now, scientists have developed a tiny implant that sits inside the cornea and slightly increases its curvature, to allow the eye to focus again.
Known as a Raindrop corneal inlay, the technique was developed by scientists at ReVision Optics in California but the first operations have now been carried out at a clinic in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, ‘The Telegraph’ reported.
The inlay is called Raindrop because it is the shape of a droplet and is made of a substance called hydrogel which is also used in contact lenses.
Hydrogel is 80 per cent water which makes it more compatible with the eye than other corneal implants.