Immediately after the bandages were removed, the 78-year-old patient was able to recognize his family members and read a text. Professor Irit Bahar: We are proud to be at the forefront of this project, which will impact the lives of millions of people.
A 78-year-old man, blind in both eyes for 10 years, regained his sight after receiving the first implant of an artificial cornea developed by Israeli startup CorNeat, the company said on Monday.
The CorNeat KPro implant is designed to replace deformed, scarred, or opaque corneas, and it integrates into the eye wall without depending on the donor tissue.
Professor Irit Bahar, head of the ophthalmology department at Rabin Medical Center (formerly Beilinson Hospital) in Petah Tikva, performed the operation.
After the bandages were removed, the patient was able to recognize family members and read a text.
“The surgical procedure was straightforward and the result exceeded all of our expectations. The moment we removed the bandages was emotional and meaningful. Times like these are the fulfillment of our vocation as doctors. We are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting project which will undoubtedly have an impact on the lives of millions of people, ” Bahar said.
CorNeat KPro inventor and company co-founder Dr Gilad Litvin said, “Unveiling that first implanted eye and being in that room, at that point, was surreal. “
“After years of hard work, seeing a colleague implant the CorNeat KPro with ease and seeing another human regaining their sight the next day was exciting and moving, there was immense emotion in the room.