Latest news with #Ortho-K
Arabian Post
12 hours ago
- Health
- Arabian Post
Electric Eye Reshaping May Usher In a New Era of Vision Correction
Scientists are testing a technique that could reshape the cornea using electricity instead of lasers, offering a potential alternative to traditional laser surgery. Early experiments with rabbit corneas have demonstrated the method can correct vision in minutes without any incisions—a promising development that may redefine the future of refractive correction. At the American Chemical Society Fall meeting, held from 17-21 August 2025, research led by Michael Hill from Occidental College and Brian Wong from the University of California, Irvine, was revealed. Their process, known as electromechanical reshaping, uses electrochemical reactions to remodel corneal structure. Hill noted that while LASIK remains a sophisticated form of surgery, it remains surgical at its core—'still carving tissue,' he said, 'just carving with a laser.' Wong added that EMR was discovered accidentally while exploring the behaviour of mouldable living tissue. Initial tests on ex vivo rabbit corneas show that EMR can modify corneal curvature in a matter of minutes without cutting into the tissue. This marks a clear divergence from LASIK, which involves creating a corneal flap and ablating the stroma—steps that carry risks and structural concerns. ADVERTISEMENT EMR builds on a broader context of non-surgical vision methods. Orthokeratology—where specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses are worn overnight to reshape the cornea—has been available for some time. It offers temporary vision correction and relief from dependence on glasses or contact lenses during the day. Notably, Ortho-K has gained traction as a myopia control measure in children, and modern lens materials and corneal mapping technologies have improved its safety and effectiveness. Another emerging non-invasive technique is Photorefractive Intrastromal Cross-Linking, which applies riboflavin eye drops and UVA illumination to strengthen and reshape the cornea—rendering it stronger, altering its curvature, and potentially correcting low refractive errors without incisions. Conductive keratoplasty, which uses radiofrequency energy to alter collagen around the cornea and treat mild hyperopia, offers yet another laser-free option. What sets EMR apart is that it appears to reshape corneal tissue electrochemically, without reliance on light-based energy or mechanical contact. The accidental discovery reinvigorates the dialogue around vision correction advancements: in contrast to reshaping with pressure, light, or heat, EMR uses directed electricity to induce structural change. However, the research is at an early stage and has only been demonstrated in animal tissue. There remains a significant path to human clinical trials, safety evaluations, and regulatory approval. Still, at this developmental frontier, EMR embodies several key prospects: potentially lower cost, lower invasiveness, and avoidance of the flap-related complications seen in LASIK.
Korea Herald
25-03-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Growth hormone injection spending soars as South Korean parents ‘invest' in kids' height
Parents in Korea are paying up to 10 million won ($6,800) a year for growth hormone injections given nightly for up to three years In South Korea, height is increasingly seen not just as a physical trait, but as a lifelong asset — and parents are spending thousands of dollars on growth hormone injections to give their children even the slightest edge. Originally designed for children with serious hormonal disorders or genetic conditions, these treatments are more widely used by kids growing normally. Government health data shows a sharp rise in growth hormone prescriptions nationwide. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of prescriptions almost doubled in just three years — from 138,537 in 2021 to 269,129 in 2024. The number of individual patients more than doubled from 16,711 to 34,881 over the same period. But these figures only tell part of the story. HIRA's data covers only treatments eligible for coverage under South Korea's strict national health insurance rules, which apply to children who fall below the 3rd percentile in height and have a diagnosed hormonal deficiency or specific medical conditions like Turner syndrome. These cases make up just a small fraction of actual users. In reality, it is estimated that around 97 percent of growth hormone prescriptions are paid for privately — suggesting the true demand is far higher. Outside the health insurance coverage, the costs are steep. A month's supply of growth hormone injections averages 700,000 Korean won (about $470) and a full year of treatment can exceed 10 million won (about $6,800). The therapy typically involves nightly injections -- up to 7 days per week -- usually continued for one to three years after initial hormone testing. Despite the cost and burden, many Korean parents view the treatment as an investment in their child's future. In wealthier households, it has become part of what some refer to in jest as the 'premium parenting package,' along with orthodontics and Ortho-K lenses — overnight contact lenses that reshape the cornea to reduce nearsightedness temporarily. These treatments are favored by parents who are willing to spend on what they believe will benefit their children, even if it's costly. A look at the distribution of prescriptions reveals a growing market catering to these parents. In 2020, 54.4 percent of growth hormone prescriptions were issued by major university hospitals. By 2024, that number had fallen to 38.2 percent, while prescriptions from small neighborhood clinics nearly tripled — from 4.0 percent to 11.3 percent. Referred to as 'growth clinics,' these small clinics which often promote growth hormone therapy as part of a broader child development strategy, have surged in number in recent years. Pharmaceutical sales data from global healthcare analytics firm IQVIA shows that South Korea's market for growth hormone injectables nearly doubled in value, rising from 145.7 billion won in 2019 to 277.5 billion won in 2023. The firm estimates that the market crossed 300 billion won in 2024.
