First there was RK. Then there was LASIK. But will LASIK one day be gone by the wayside, replaced by an even better technology for curing bad vision?
Researchers are working on a completely different way to improve eyesight — one that doesn’t rely on lasers, cutting, or removing tissue.
Scientists from Occidental College and the University of California, Irvine are testing a technique known as electromechanical reshaping, or EMR.
The goal is simple: reshape the cornea without traditional surgery.
What Makes LASIK Work?
The cornea plays a major role in how we see. This clear outer layer at the front of the eye bends light and helps focus images correctly on the retina.
When the cornea’s shape isn’t quite right, vision can become blurry. LASIK fixes this by using a laser to permanently remove small amounts of tissue and alter the cornea’s curvature.
While LASIK has helped millions of patients, some people experience side effects such as dry eyes, halos or starbursts around lights, glare, or weakening of the cornea.
LASIK is still a surgical procedure — carving tissue — but with a laser rather than a scalpel.
Researchers wanted to know if there was a way to reshape the eye without removing tissue at all.
How EMR Was Discovered
Brian Wong, a surgeon and professor at UC Irvine, says the discovery happened unexpectedly while studying cartilage and other collagen-based tissues.
“The whole effect was discovered by accident,” Dr. Wong explains. “I was looking at living tissues as moldable materials and discovered this whole process of chemical modification.”
Collagen-rich tissues maintain their shape through networks of charged molecules.
Because these tissues contain significant amounts of water, researchers found that a gentle electrical current can temporarily change the tissue’s pH level.
As that happens, the molecular bonds loosen. The tissue becomes flexible enough to reshape. Once conditions return to normal, the structure stiffens again and keeps its new form.
Why the Cornea Is a Good Candidate
Scientists previously experimented with EMR on tissues including cartilage, scar tissue, and skin.
The cornea quickly stood out as a promising target because even tiny adjustments to its shape can have a major impact on vision quality.
Instead of using lasers, researchers designed platinum contact lenses that match a desired corneal shape. These lenses act as electrodes during treatment.
Testing Eye Reshaping With Electricity
In laboratory experiments, rabbit eyeballs were placed in a solution that mimics natural tears.
The platinum lens was then positioned on the cornea.
When a small electrical charge was applied, the cornea temporarily softened and gradually adopted the shape of the lens.
The process took about one minute, roughly comparable to LASIK treatment times.
Researchers tested the method on 12 rabbit eyes. Ten of them underwent treatment intended to simulate correction of nearsightedness.
The results showed that the corneas achieved the expected focusing changes associated with improved vision.
Researchers also reported that the tissue cells remained alive throughout the procedure because pH levels were carefully controlled.
Potential Beyond Vision Correction
In separate studies, researchers observed signs that EMR could help reverse certain forms of corneal cloudiness.
Severe clouding currently often requires a corneal transplant, so a less invasive option would be significant.
Scientists are also exploring possible applications for astigmatism, farsightedness, and even reconstructive treatments involving other collagen-rich tissues.
Benefits Compared With LASIK
EMR is that it does not remove corneal tissue. This would allow people to undergo EMR who would not qualify for LASIK due to not enough base corneal tissue.
This could also help preserve more of the eye’s natural strength and potentially reduce some risks associated with laser-based procedures.
Advanced imaging techniques showed that the cornea’s collagen framework remained largely unchanged after treatment.
Researchers also found no major loss of transparency or obvious tissue damage in these early tests.
Another potential advantage is cost. Because the procedure may not require expensive laser systems, it could eventually become more affordable than current surgical options.
The Future of Electromechanical Reshaping
Despite the promising early findings, EMR is still in the research stage.
Most testing so far has been performed on isolated rabbit eyes rather than living animals or human patients.
Scientists still need to determine how long the reshaping effect lasts and whether the procedure remains safe over time.
Researchers continue to study the technology’s accuracy, long-term stability, and possible side effects.
