August 31, 2020 ​CORREN Newspaper

The LiU reseracher's lens may provide protection against covid-19

Here is a glimps of hope - a contact lens that may provide protection against covid-19.
Mehrdad Rafat, associate professor/senior lecturer at Linkoping University, has worked and researched tissue engineering for almost 20 years. Ever since the virus began to spread, he has been thinking about how he could help in the fight. Now he has an idea that is about to become a reality: a natural contact lens that will protect against the corona virus. It covers the entire eye, is loaded with anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs and should be a shield against viral infections. The lens will work for preventive purposes, but the hope is that it will also mitigate the effects for those affected by covid-19.
One of the drugs used is the cortisone drug dexamethasone, which patients with covid-19 have been treated with.
- It is made of natural materials that mimic human corneal tissue while others are made of synthetic materials such as plastics. These can deprive the eye of nutrients and oxygen, resulting in redness, dryness, infection and inflammation.
When can we see the lens used? - We hope to have the lens 1st prototype ready to be tested on humans by the end of this year. But first we have to get it approved and funded. The regulatory processes are strict, expensive and time consuming. But I hope that the review and approval process will be accelerated during the pandemic.
Who is it for? - Eventually we want it to be available to everypne, but in the first stage it will be used by those who are in the front line, i.e medical staff such as nurses and doctors.
Will it be expensive? - More expensive than ordinary lenses, because it is made from natural materials and is larger, but not too expensive so that everypne who needs it can afford it.
Two research groups at LiU are behind the project together with the company LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, of which Mehrdad Rafat is CEO and cofounder. The project also has international partners, Eveol UK. Care Group India and Gemini Eve Clinics in the Czech Republic.