6 Minutes
A potential laser-free alternative to LASIK
A research team has reported early laboratory success using an electrical technique to reshape the cornea without lasers or incisions. The approach, called electromechanical reshaping (EMR), applies a controlled electric current through a metal template to temporarily alter corneal tissue chemistry and mold the cornea to a new curvature. The developers envision EMR as a possible alternative or complement to conventional LASIK for treating refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
Scientific background: Why corneal shape matters and how EMR works
The cornea is the eye’s transparent front surface that refracts (bends) incoming light to focus images on the retina. Small changes in corneal curvature can produce significant refractive errors: if light does not focus precisely on the retina, vision becomes blurred. Refractive surgery such as LASIK reshapes the cornea by removing tissue with a laser to change its optical power.
Electromechanical reshaping (EMR) targets the cornea’s molecular structure rather than removing tissue. Many ocular tissues, including the corneal stroma, contain collagen and charged macromolecules that create structural bonds. EMR uses a brief, localized electric field to alter the tissue pH and temporarily weaken electrostatic interactions that stabilize collagen architecture. While the tissue is electrically “unlocked,” a rigid template sets the desired curvature. When the electrical stimulus stops and normal pH is restored, the tissue re-stabilizes in the new shape. Because the method does not ablate tissue, it may be reversible or adjustable in ways that current laser ablation cannot.
Experiment details: How the lab tests were performed
Chemist Michael Hill (Occidental College) and surgeon Dr. Brian Wong (UC Irvine) adapted EMR techniques previously used to reshape cartilage and modify scar tissue. To test corneal reshaping, they designed a platinum contact-lens–shaped template that mimicked the target corneal curvature. Ex vivo rabbit eyes were placed in saline and fitted with the platinum mold. A controlled electric current was applied through the platinum template for approximately one minute. Within that interval the corneal surface conformed to the template shape; the overall duration was comparable to LASIK in terms of operating time.
The team treated 12 rabbit eyes, 10 of which were configured to model myopia. Post-treatment evaluation indicated the corneal curvature had been altered toward the intended shape and that corneal cells showed no immediate damage under laboratory assays.
Key findings, safety signals and potential clinical implications
Early results indicate EMR can produce rapid corneal reshaping in ex vivo eyes while preserving cellular viability and corneal clarity in the short term. The method also has the theoretical potential to address corneal cloudiness (opacification) by modulating tissue pH and reorganizing stromal components — a condition today often treated only by corneal transplant.
Investigators emphasize this is preclinical work. Next steps include live-animal studies to assess healing responses, inflammation, optical quality over time, and the durability or reversibility of the reshaping. Comprehensive safety testing will also examine whether EMR avoids the rare but serious complications associated with laser ablation, such as thermal damage and biomechanical weakening of the cornea.
"Like any medical innovation, EMR will require staged validation — more animal testing, iterative refinements and controlled human trials," said Dr. Brian Wong, summarizing the team’s view on regulatory and clinical steps ahead. Maria Walker, an optometrist not involved in the study, described the findings as encouraging but cautioned that longer-term outcomes must be known: "Short-term safety is necessary but not sufficient — we need months to years of follow-up to understand stability and late effects."
Advantages and limitations compared with existing refractive surgery
Potential advantages of EMR include:
- Elimination of laser-induced thermal effects on corneal tissue.
- No tissue excision, which could allow partial reversibility or retreatment.
- Lower-cost equipment compared with clinical-grade ophthalmic lasers, potentially expanding access.
Limitations and challenges:
- Current evidence is limited to ex vivo tissues and requires live-animal and clinical validation.
- Precise control of pH changes and spatial specificity are critical to avoid unintended tissue damage.
- The range of refractive errors correctable with EMR and its long-term biomechanical impact remain undetermined.
Expert Insight
Dr. Elena Morales, biomedical engineer and adjunct ophthalmology researcher, offers context: "EMR leverages biophysics rather than ablation. That makes it intriguing because you can reshape tissue architecture without cutting or vaporizing collagen. But electricity and pH are blunt instruments at small scales — the engineering challenge is delivering micro-scale, repeatable dosages to achieve predictable optical outcomes. If the team can demonstrate stable refractions in vivo without inflammation or haze, EMR could become a valuable tool in the refractive toolbox."
Related technologies and future prospects
EMR is part of a broader trend exploring non-ablative and less invasive ophthalmic interventions, including corneal cross-linking (to strengthen ectatic corneas), femtosecond laser intrastromal procedures, and novel biomaterials for corneal repair. If EMR proves safe and effective in clinical trials, it could be positioned as a cost-effective option for patients who are poor LASIK candidates or who prefer a procedure that does not remove tissue.
Conclusion
Electromechanical reshaping offers a promising, laser-free pathway to alter corneal curvature by transiently modifying tissue chemistry and molding collagen architecture. Early ex vivo rabbit-eye experiments demonstrate rapid reshaping with preserved short-term cellular viability and corneal clarity. However, substantial preclinical and clinical work remains necessary to establish safety, long-term stability and the full range of treatable refractive conditions. If those hurdles are overcome, EMR could expand options for vision correction by delivering a potentially reversible, lower-cost complement or alternative to conventional laser refractive surgery.
Comments