Researchers at the institute are investigating plasma treatment as a gentle alternative to current medical therapies.
Image credit: Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research
In a recent press release the Fraunhofer Institute for Polymer Research revealed how researchers are developing a process for the plasma treatment of contact lenses developed for patients suffering from Microbial Keratitis. Keratitis is a disease of the eye that can lead to a loss of vision, early diagnosis and treatment are integral to recovery, research is now taking place into the application of plasma treatment as a gentle alternative to conventional therapy.
Plasma treatment has been widely used for medical applications and, owing to its success, The Fraunhofer researcher group questioned whether it could become a considered alternative to the current treatment methods. Inital tests in the laboratory and on donor corneas have proven to be very successful.
Dr. Joachim Storsberg, scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, explains in more detail the benefits of plasma treatment in this work.