UK researchers aim to develop minimally-invasive treatment for keratoconus

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has awarded £2.4 million to researchers from the University of Liverpool who aim to improve the treatment of keratoconus.

The research team, which is led by Professor Rachel Williams, will focus on developing a minimally invasive approach.

Williams explained that the group’s novel cross-linking agent can be administered under local anaesthetic, without removing the corneal epithelium – which is a key source of discomfort and complications under current approaches.

“This innovation has the potential to radically change the patient care pathway, making treatment available in community optometry practices rather than requiring specialist hospital settings,” she said.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of the treatment, which is applied using a suction ring.

Williams highlighted that the MRC award would enable researchers to take steps towards commercialising the treatment.

“Our aim is to partner with industry to bring this innovation into clinical use,” she said.