Revolutionary Method Uses Electric Current for Vision Correction

Scientists have introduced a groundbreaking technique for vision correction that utilizes electric currents instead of lasers, enabling the potential to reshape the cornea in under a minute. This innovative method, known as electromechanical reshaping (EMR), was showcased by researchers from Occidental College and the University of California, Irvine during the American Chemical Society’s Fall 2025 meeting.

The cornea, the clear surface at the front of the eye, plays a crucial role in focusing light onto the retina. Irregularities in its shape can lead to conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). Traditional corrective options primarily include LASIK surgery, which involves removing tissue from the cornea using lasers. While LASIK boasts a success rate of approximately 95%, it is an invasive procedure that alters the structural integrity of the eye.

Innovative Technique Without Surgery

According to Michael Hill, a professor of chemistry at Occidental College, LASIK is essentially a sophisticated form of traditional surgery, still involving the removal of corneal tissue. In contrast, Hill and his team propose a non-invasive approach that reshapes the cornea without any cutting.

The cornea is largely made of collagen, which maintains its shape through the arrangement of charged molecules. The researchers found that by applying a mild electrical current through a specially designed platinum electrode, they could induce a temporary pH shift in the corneal tissue. This shift increases acidity, making the cornea pliable enough to reshape as it conforms to the shape of the electrode. Once the current ceases and the pH normalizes, the cornea retains its new shape.

The entire process takes about one minute, does not involve any incisions, and preliminary tests indicate no structural damage or cellular death in the treated samples.

Potential for Future Applications

In their initial study, the research team tested the EMR method on 12 rabbit eyeballs, successfully reshaping 10 of them to correct for myopia. Each cornea adjusted to the shape of the platinum lens, demonstrating a successful correction without any trauma to the eye.

While EMR is still in its experimental stages, Brian Wong, a professor and surgeon at the University of California, Irvine, noted that further animal studies will be essential to refine the technique. “The whole effect was discovered by accident,” Wong explained, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to explore the full range of corneal corrections possible with EMR.

Hill acknowledged the distance still to cover before EMR can be utilized clinically, stating, “There’s a long road between what we’ve done and the clinic. But, if we get there, this technique is widely applicable, vastly cheaper and potentially even reversible.” A paper published in 2023 in the journal ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering outlined the foundational development of EMR, with the latest findings presented by Hill, Daniel Kim, and Michelle Chen at the recent conference.

This promising new technique could redefine vision correction, offering a less invasive and potentially more accessible alternative to traditional laser surgery methods. As research continues, the implications for millions seeking effective vision correction could be significant.