The status quo and expectation of corneal research in China

Abstract

In China, corneal disease is currently the second leading cause of blindness. Severe donor shortage, insufficient technique supports and promotion, and the lack of corneal disease specialists due to poor systematic training are all urgent problems to be resolved. The last 5 years have witnessed a considerable progress in basic and clinical researches of corneal disease. Investigations on the pathogenesis and treatment of fungal keratitis have won an international reputation. Results from the study of corneal reconstruction with tissue-engineered and acellular matrix corneas have been tested in clinical trials with good preliminary performance. Moreover, the clinical researches of corneal refractive surgery have kept pace with the latest international progresses. However, Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty needs further promotion, and the development and application of keratoprosthesis remains a blank. Although keratoprosthesis and corneal collagen cross-linking have been widely applied in Europe with satisfactory clinical efficacy, they are still under assessment by China Food and Drug Administration for approval of use.