The I-CaRe-initiative is an international collaboration of researchers, eye surgeons and patient advocates. Our mission is to improve the lives of childhood cataract patients, their parents and their carers by raising community awareness and funding research into improved detection and treatment methods.
Transplanting human lens cells free of cataract-causing mutations – to regenerate a normal lens – has the potential to minimise complications of current child cataract treatment.
A regenerated lens could grow as the child does (unlike an IOL), thereby reducing reliance on traumatic management via contact lens or aphakic glasses, thus potentially increasing acuity outcomes for the patients.
Moreover, we expect that fewer surgeries would be needed per treated eye (with fewer long-term visual or neurological risks) as there would be no IOL implantation nor treatment for visual axis opacification.
Lens regeneration could have huge and lasting benefits for the vision and quality of life of childhood cataract patient and their families. Learn more here.