Scleral Collagen Cross-Linking for Myopia Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods have not effectively elucidated the mechanism of myopia development and progression, particularly how convergence during near work contributes to the elongation of the eye, leading to myopia, and existing treatments like atropine have shown limited benefit.
Innovation Solution
Collagen cross-linking in the posterior pole and temporal sclera, combined with the use of corrective lenses to reduce convergence, is proposed to mitigate myopia development by minimizing scleral stretching and elongation, using instruments like the Corvis and ORA to measure collagen elasticity and apply cross-linking agents such as riboflavin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If atropine is used to treat myopia, then accommodation is relaxed, but the treatment shows limited benefit and does not address the underlying mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the convergence function from the accommodation function. By using optical instruments (prism goggles, contact lenses with prisms) to provide convergence without requiring accommodation, the patent separates the harmful convergence action from the necessary accommodation action, allowing treatment to target only the convergence component responsible for myopia progression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries (prisms, corrective lenses) that mediate between the eye's natural functions and the desired outcome. These intermediaries allow the eye to maintain accommodation while reducing convergence demand, acting as a bridge that decouples the two functions that are normally linked
2Reliability
If convergence is reduced using optical instruments, then myopia progression is mitigated, but the instruments add complexity to the treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes corrective lenses multi-functional by incorporating prism power into standard myopia correction lenses. This allows a single optical instrument to simultaneously correct refractive error and reduce convergence demand, eliminating the need for separate devices and simplifying the treatment protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the convergence-reducing function with the existing myopia correction function into a single optical instrument. By combining prism correction with spherical correction in one lens system, the treatment becomes more practical and easier to implement while maintaining effectiveness
3Strength
If collagen cross-linking is applied to stabilize sclera, then scleral stretching is prevented, but the procedure requires additional treatment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies collagen cross-linking as a preliminary strengthening treatment before myopia progression becomes severe. By pre-hardening the sclera through cross-linking procedures, the eye is prepared to better withstand the stresses of normal visual activities, preventing future elongation and reducing the need for more aggressive interventions later
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach is expected to reduce the progression of axial myopia by stabilizing the sclera, preventing breaks in Bruch's membrane, and minimizing vision loss, while potentially reducing the need for convergence, thus addressing the underlying mechanism of myopia development.
Implementation Method 1
applying a collagen cross-linking reagent proximate collagen of a sclera of an eye; and irradiating the sclera of the eye with radiation of a wavelength that initiates covalent bonding and cross-linking of the collagen
Data Source
AI summary
A method of mitigating the development of myopia, includes measuring elasticity of collagen of an eye; identifying an eye for which the elasticity measured is above a preselected threshold; selectively applying a collagen cross-linking reagent proximate collagen of a sclera of a posterior pole portion of the eye for which the elasticity measured is above the preselected threshold; and irradiating at least the posterior pole portion of the eye with radiation of an appropriate wavelength to initiate covalent bonding and cross-linking of the collagen for which the elasticity measured is above the preselected threshold.