Artificial cornea is a step closer
British scientists are nearing a breakthrough in efforts to create an artificial cornea that could save millions from blindness.
Researchers from Lancaster University and Sheffield University hope to become the first in the world to make the artificial eye implant after receiving a £425,000 grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council.
About ten million people worldwide suffer from blindness caused by cornea disease and up to half do not have access to conventional transplants. The scientists hope to have an “off-the-shelf” implant available in five years.
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Cliff counsellors
Beachy Head is being patrolled by counsellors in an attempt to stop people killing themselves. Each year an average of more than 20 people travel to the beauty spot on the East Sussex coast to jump off the 535ft cliffs — the highest in England. The six volunteers for the scheme are walking the cliffs nightly from 6.45pm to midnight.