Novel device brings tears to treat 'dry eye' syndrome
Scientists have developed a device that electronically stimulates tear production, which will offer hope to sufferers of dry eye syndrome, one of the most common eye afflictions in the world.
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The researchers discovered the afferent neural pathway -- the neural pathway from sensory neurons to the brain which activates the reflex tearing -- offered an even more efficient way to enhance tear production.
The device, 16 mm long, 3-4 mm wide and 1-2 mm thick, was implanted beneath the inferior lacrimal gland in a rabbit's eyes. It was wireless and increased the generation of tears by nearly 57 percent
"I've been working on electro-neural interfaces for about a decade, but the idea to stimulate lacrimal gland for tear production came from my postdoctoral fellow, Michael Ackermann," said study author Daniel Palanker from Stanford University.
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Dry eye leads to inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva.
"The biggest surprise for us was discovering that stimulating the afferent neural pathway provided a more potent and long-lasting tear response," Palanker added. IANS