A new class of Two-Dimensional Optoelectronic Materials in Accommodating Intraocular Lens Design

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Since Rayner and Harold Ridley developed the world's first intraocular lens (IOL) in 1949 there have been huge advances in medical implant technologies. However, there remain significant challenges in IOL design and development related to poor biocompatibility and failure of these medical devices to mimic the accommodative properties of the natural lens. In developing the next generation of implantable ocular devices capable of accommodative vision, sensors, conductive nanomaterials and novel polymers which respond to stimulation from ciliary muscle contraction will be required. Within this project a new class of nanostructured two dimensional materials with optoelectronic properties exceeding those of the related graphene family will be developed for use in implantable ophthalmic devices. This PhD program will utilise the expertise in ophthalmic biomaterials at the University of Brighton & Rayner Intraocular Lenses Ltd (UK), combined with the materials expertise at AJ Drexel Nanomaterials Institute (USA).Cataracts are the leading cause of bilateral blindness globally and affect more than 24 million people worldwide. Whilst removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with a plastic intraocular lens (IOL) restores sight many patients experience difficulties related to loss of visual acuity and accommodation. Accommodating IOL design is currently restricted by the lack of materials which are transparent, flexible and conductive allowing response to ciliary muscle contraction by a change of refractive properties. This project introduces a new class of nanostructured, 2 dimensional materials for accommodating IOL design and will investigate the hypothesis that these materials may be developed as transparent, flexible, highly conductive IOL prototypes which suppress inflammation and respond to stimulus by controlled changes in lens refractive index. These materials may also provide a safe and effective phakic IOL as an alternative and more predictable refractive procedure to laser surgery. The PhD student will gain experience in material synthesis and physicochemical characterisation techniques, biological modelling and commercial aspects of accommodating IOL design. Based primarily in the biomaterials research group, at the University of the Brighton; the student will also spend time learning nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation techniques at AJ Drexel Nanotechnology Institute, USA and will gain industrial experience working at Ridley Innovation Centre, Rayner's new £22 million state of the art training and IOL production facility.