First eye patient receives synthetic cornea
For the first time in Utrecht, a synthetic cornea was transplanted into a patient with a complex eye condition. The artificial cornea is an interesting alternative due to the donor shortage, and is a prelude to regenerative corneal transplants with cultured cells.
‘With my research, I am pushing for these types of implants to become regenerative. That means they will also contain cells and thus actually repair the cornea. The current synthetic implant can be a prelude to that, because this kind of material can also be the carrier of those cells,’ said UMC Utrecht professor of ophthalmology Mor Dickman, who recently performed the transplant with the synthetic cornea.
Major shortage of donor corneas
About 2,000 cornea transplants take place in the Netherlands every year, making it the most frequently performed transplant. Many of the recipients of such a transplant are elderly people, but younger patients and children also sometimes receive a cornea. Unfortunately, there is a huge shortage of donor corneas: there is about 1 donor for every 70 patients.
Corneal transplantation at UMC Utrecht.
An alternative graft
Because of the donor shortage, there is a great drive to find alternatives. It is the personal motivation of Professor of Ophthalmology Mor Dickman, who is now placing a synthetic corneal transplant in Utrecht for the first time. ‘This implant is made of a kind of contact lens material,’ he explains. ‘In this case, it replaces the inner part of the cornea.’
In the Netherlands, this technique is particularly interesting for patients with a high risk of rejection or graft failure. Mor: ‘These include patients with multiple previous transplants, a history of rejection, or after glaucoma surgery where small tubes are placed in the eye. There are also patients who do not want to receive donor tissue for cultural or religious reasons, and then this can be an alternative.’
Towards regenerative treatment
The synthetic implant was developed by a company, Eye-Yon. ‘Currently, we only apply this technique to the most complex cases,’ says Mor. ‘With further refinement and development, this technique could be a solution for a wider patient group in the future.’ An additional advantage is that a synthetic implant presents much less logistical challenges than a donated cornea.
In the further future, Mor sees other developments ahead. ‘With my research, I am pushing for these kinds of implants to become regenerative. That means they will also contain cells and thus actually repair the cornea. The current synthetic implant can be a prelude to that, because this kind of material can also be the carrier of those cells.’
Design and start of construction for new greenhouses at the Botanical Gardens announced
The design for the new greenhouse complex of the Botanical Gardens has been finalized, the construction partners have been selected and preparations for construction will start in November 2026. This brings the realization of the new complex one step closer. Construction is scheduled for spring 2027.
Senior civil servants from the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) visit Utrecht Science Park to exchange knowledge on improving prevention, healthcare and economic earning capacity.
How can we ensure that innovations reach patients more effectively and quickly, while also contributing to the Netherlands’ future earning capacity? This question was at the heart of a visit by senior civil servants from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to Utrecht Science Park on Friday, 31 October.
2.5-hectare new nature reserve at Utrecht Science Park opened
In an area where education, healthcare, housing and research compete for space, 2.5 hectares – equivalent to seven football pitches – of new nature has been created. A 1.6-kilometre-long ‘green corridor’ connects Utrecht Science Park with the surrounding nature reserves, enhances biodiversity and makes the area more attractive to plants and animals.
His Majesty the King visits large-scale exercise at the Major Incident Hospital at Utrecht Science Park: prepared together for major emergencies
On Saturday, October 31, a large-scale exercise took place at the Major Incident Hospital at the Utrecht Science Park. During the exercise, dubbed “Dubbelspoor” (Dual Track), the Major Incident Hospital had to respond to two major incidents almost simultaneously. In Amersfoort, a train carrying thirty injured Dutch military personnel arrived. At nearly the same time, a coach plowed into a crowd during a Halloween celebration. His Majesty the King also visited both locations, marking the 35th anniversary of the Major Incident Hospital.