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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.
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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.
