The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) is joining forces with leading international partners to drive advancements in eye treatments, from corneal repair to cataract surgery, with a focus on innovative, patient-specific solutions.
SERI, in collaboration with the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), has launched a partnership with the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University in the United States. This alliance aims to pioneer alternatives to full corneal transplants, focusing on treating or replacing only the damaged parts of the eye. The initiative will also foster progress in ophthalmic education, clinical care, and research.
Additionally, SERI is collaborating with German medical technology company Carl Zeiss Meditec to improve surgical outcomes in refractive and cataract surgery. This partnership will be supported by nearly $20 million in combined funding over the next three years.
On November 12, SERI and SNEC signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with the Byers Eye Institute, marking the formal launch of their collaborative work. One key project involves developing engineered tissues to replace scarred corneas in patients who have experienced vision loss due to corneal infections. This process combines advanced scaffolding with cell technology, explained Professor Jodhbir Mehta, executive director of SERI.
In this project, the Byers Eye Institute contributes its expertise in 3D-printed, tissue-engineered scaffolds. These scaffolds, which start as a liquid gel and solidify upon application to the eye, provide structural support for cells to grow and develop into corneal tissue. Meanwhile, SERI is contributing its cellular development capabilities for both the cornea and retina, with a particular focus on corneal cell replacement therapies.
Professor Mehta highlighted that combining each team’s respective expertise will enable the collaboration to reach new milestones. Plans also include exchanges of students and postdoctoral researchers, who will work on advancing the project.
The partnership will provide top trainees and junior faculty from SNEC and SERI with opportunities to pursue ophthalmic internships and fellowships at Stanford, broadening their understanding of global healthcare systems and patient care models under the guidance of leading ophthalmology experts.
Through this collaboration, the institutions will also leverage shared resources in artificial intelligence and digital technology. Additionally, access to diverse retinal image datasets from both U.S. and Asian populations will support enhanced diagnostic tools for eye diseases.
In another strategic move, Zeiss and SERI announced a partnership on November 14 at SNEC, aligning with Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2025 Plan, which seeks to bolster the nation’s research and development from 2021 to 2025.
With cataract and refractive surgery among the most common ophthalmic procedures globally, demand is expected to rise as the population ages, noted SERI. Associate Professor Shamira Perera, co-head of the cataract and refractive surgery research group at SERI, noted that SNEC performs approximately 21,000 cataract operations annually.
A significant project within this collaboration is the development of a new type of intraocular lens (IOL) to replace clouded lenses in cataract patients. Current multifocal IOLs may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with pre-existing conditions like retinal disease and glaucoma, as these lenses can cause issues such as glare, halos, and impaired vision in low-light conditions.
The team aims to address these limitations, aiming to make multifocal IOLs more broadly applicable so that more cataract patients can eliminate the need for corrective eyewear. The first human clinical trials are expected within a year, with the goal of commercializing the new IOL within three years.
Zeiss and SERI will also work to refine surgical processes, aiming for quicker recovery times and improved long-term visual stability for patients undergoing these procedures.
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