. 04/10/2024 12:39 PM
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have made significant strides in developing innovative techniques to enhance drug delivery for retinal disorders, affecting approximately 11 million individuals in India. This groundbreaking research addresses prevalent conditions such as retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy, providing new hope for patients in need of effective treatment.
Retinal disorders impact the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Common conditions include:
Retinitis Pigmentosa: A genetic disorder leading to gradual loss of peripheral vision.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Primarily affects older adults, impacting central vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy: A diabetes complication that damages retinal blood vessels, often resulting in vision loss.
Retinal Detachment: A medical emergency where the retina separates from its underlying tissue, necessitating immediate intervention.
Stargardt Disease: A hereditary condition causing progressive vision loss in younger individuals.
Symptoms can manifest as blind spots, flashes of light, or floating shapes in vision. Timely diagnosis through regular eye examinations is crucial to prevent severe vision impairment.
The pioneering work conducted at IIT Madras is the result of a decade-long collaboration between Professor Arunn Narasimhan from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and renowned eye specialist Dr. Lingam Gopal from Shankar Nethralaya. This partnership marks the first instance of biothermal research on laser irradiation effects on the retina in India.
The researchers focused on utilizing mild laser-induced convection to improve the delivery of medication to the retina. Traditional treatments often rely on the slow natural diffusion of drugs, which can take several hours to days for the medication to reach effective levels.
Computer Simulations and Experiments: The research team conducted extensive computer simulations and laboratory experiments to analyze bio-heat and mass transfer dynamics during eye treatments.
Controlled Laser Heating: By gently heating the eye, the researchers created convection currents that accelerated the drug delivery process significantly.
Glass Eye Model Testing: The method was tested using a glass eye model that mimicked human anatomy. The results revealed that while conventional diffusion took approximately 12 hours for the medication to reach the retina, the laser-induced method reduced this time to just 12 minutes.
A crucial finding of this research is that the gentle heating process does not damage eye tissues, indicating its safety for clinical use. The technique not only enhances the speed and efficiency of drug delivery but also opens avenues for treating a broader range of retinal diseases.
This research has been published in the Wiley Heat Transfer Journal and will be presented at the International Conference on Computational Heat and Mass Transfer (ICCHMT), showcasing its relevance in the scientific and medical communities.
Professor Narasimhan emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research, combining engineering and biology to tackle pressing health challenges. Although practical and ethical constraints limit experimentation on live human organs, the team’s innovative use of simulations and glass-eye experiments demonstrates the potential for real-world applications.
The advancements made by IIT Madras researchers in the field of retinal treatment signify a substantial leap forward in ophthalmic care. By enhancing drug delivery methods through laser-induced convection, this indigenous research not only holds promise for improving patient outcomes but also underscores the critical role of scientific innovation in addressing public health challenges. As this technique progresses towards clinical application, it offers hope to millions suffering from debilitating retinal disorders.
