University of Liverpool researchers receive £2.4 million to advance a minimally invasive treatment for keratoconus, aiming to improve patient access and reduce NHS costs
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have secured over £2.4 million in funding to develop a novel, non-invasive treatment for keratoconus, a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea to become misshapen, leading to significant vision impairment or blindness. This innovative approach uses a new cross-linking agent applied painlessly under local anaesthetic, without the need to remove the corneal epithelium, offering a safer and more accessible alternative to current invasive treatments.
The project, led by Professor Rachel Williams, aims to make this treatment available in community optometry practices, reducing the need for specialist hospital settings and potentially lowering the financial burden on the NHS, a promising development for the future of healthcare.
Keratoconus costs over £400m in the UK
Keratoconus affects one in 2,000 individuals in the UK, with prevalence rising to 1 in 200 among South Asian populations. The condition typically develops between the ages of 12 and 40, impacting education, employment, and quality of life. Figures from 2022 indicated that keratoconus cost the NHS over £400 million.
Current treatments prevent the disease progression; however, they are invasive and carry risks, including infections and long-term tissue damage.
Rachel Williams, Professor of Ophthalmic Bioengineering at the University of Liverpool, led the Liverpool research team, including Drs Lucy Bosworth, Helen Cauldbeck, Angela Stainthorpe, and Tansi Khodai, who will use Medical Research Council (MRC) funding to develop and clinically translate a new, minimally invasive treatment that offers a safer, more accessible alternative, a collaborative effort that includes the audience in the process.
Professor Williams said: “Our approach uses a novel cross-linking agent that can be administered painlessly under local anaesthetic, without removing the corneal epithelium – a key source of discomfort and complications in current treatments. This innovation has the potential to change the patient care pathway radically, making treatment available in community optometry practices rather than requiring specialist hospital settings.”
Over £2m funding for new treatment
Preclinical studies have already demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the novel cross-linking agent treatment in vivo, showing no histological changes in the cornea or surrounding tissues, providing reassurance about its potential benefits.
The new formulation is applied using a suction ring and does not require the removal of protective surface tissue, making the procedure more straightforward and more comfortable. As a result, the treatment could significantly reduce the financial burden on the NHS, potentially saving millions of pounds annually.
The team have been awarded £2,498,485 by the MRC Developmental Pathway, building on proof-of-concept work made possible through Harmonised IAA funding from the University’s Research, Partnerships and Innovation (RPI) directorate. Professor Williams has also benefited from ongoing support from the University’s Enterprise team, which has played a crucial role in facilitating collaborations and securing additional funding for the project.
Professor Williams concluded: “This award enables us to take the crucial next steps toward commercialising the treatment. We aim to partner with industry to bring this innovation into clinical use, working closely with our collaborator, Dr Vito Romano from the University of Brescia, reducing the need for invasive surgeries and dramatically improving access to care for patients with keratoconus.”
