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Research teams at the Department of Ophthalmology are investigating ways to prevent transplant rejection, slow down myopia and heal corneal injuries without sutures

The Department of Ophthalmology at the Freiburg University Medical Center is receiving around 1.5 million euros for three pioneering research projects. The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding a study to reduce the rejection of corneal transplants with 400,000 euros. It is providing one million euros for the continuation of a long-term clinical study to combat increasing short-sightedness in children. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting the development of a new cell therapy to heal corneal injuries without surgical sutures, which is being carried out in close cooperation with the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Freiburg.

"The generous funding enables us to specifically address three urgent challenges in ophthalmology - from the healing of corneal transplants and the protection of young eyes from myopia to the development of new healing methods for corneal injuries," said Prof. Dr. Thomas Reinhard, Medical Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Freiburg University Medical Center.

New approaches to combat rejection after corneal transplants

Every year, thousands of people in Germany receive a corneal transplant. However, not all transplants heal without complications - the immune system can reject the foreign tissue. "This funding enables us to research a natural mechanism of immune tolerance that could reduce the risk of rejection after corneal transplants," says Reinhard. Initial animal studies indicate that this mechanism can be specifically influenced - a clinical study will now be conducted to test whether the effect can also be used in humans.

Short-sightedness in children: Early countermeasures necessary

Short-sightedness (myopia) is on the rise worldwide and often begins in childhood. In Germany, around one in five people under the age of 18 is affected. If myopia is detected and treated early, possible long-term consequences such as severe visual impairment or retinal damage can be prevented. The Freiburg researchers are investigating how the progression of myopia in children can be slowed down. As part of the AIM study (Atropine for Myopia Control), they have been investigating for several years whether low doses of atropine can effectively slow down the progression of myopia in children. Atropine eye drops have already proven effective in Asia, but their use in Europe is not yet established. Now the study has been extended to investigate the safety, optimal dosage and long-term effects in European children. "Our study will help to tackle a growing challenge in ophthalmology at an early stage," explains study leader Prof. Dr. Wolf Lagrèze, Head Physician of the Neuroophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Treatment Section at the Department of Ophthalmology at the Freiburg University Medical Center.

Adhesive for the eye to enable seamless treatment of corneal injuries

Corneal injuries are among the most common causes of vision loss and have so far mostly been treated with surgical sutures or transplants. A new cell therapy could enable seamless healing in the future. The innovative method is being developed under the direction of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Freiburg and the Department of Ophthalmology. A hydrogel made from artificially produced human proteins and human corneal cells is intended to enable secure wound closure without sutures. Of the total funding of 400,000 euros, 100,000 euros will go to the Department of Ophthalmology at the Freiburg University Medical Center. "We are very pleased about this support and the excellent research environment," says Prof. Dr. Günther Schlunck, Head of the Experimental Ophthalmology Unit at the Department of Ophthalmology at the Freiburg University Medical Center. Further research is now to be carried out in the laboratory into the exact composition of such a hydrogel for use in the human eye. At the beginning of 2025, the German Research Foundation and the BMBF will be funding eight projects at the Department of Ophthalmology.