Grant: Research Networks

Vision, arguably the most critical of the senses, is dependent on healthy ocular tissues. Unfortunately, disease, aging and congenital defects affect the health of these tissues. 20/20: NSERC Network for the Development of Advanced Opthalmic Materials brings together 11 Canadian researchers from 4 institutions with a goal of developing innovative materials based solutions to solving existing and emerging vision related problems. Materials based systems have been used extensively in the eye but not without complications. Contact lenses and intraocular lenses, in particular, are widely accepted by the general public although these are far from perfect solutions. Contact lens complications and comfort continue to remain serious issues. Intraocular lenses, which are used restore sight to patients following cataract surgery, suffer from a 5 year post surgical failure rate as high as 40% due to the formation of secondary cataracts. Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS), a secondary inflammation following cataract surgery, has recently seen increased incidence. The 14 20/20 research projects will lead to the development of materials which may for example result to contact lenses without end of day dryness and discomfort issues, intraocular lenses with a low complication rate, delivery systems for the back of the eye to take away the need for monthly painful and inconvenient injections.