- A new device called the Eye-in-a-Care-Box (ECaBox) maintains and revives eyeballs from dead donors using perfusion, providing oxygen and nutrients.
- Pig eyes preserved in the ECaBox remained viable for over 24 hours and retained the ability to respond to light, suggesting potential for vision after transplantation.
- Human eyes tested with the device showed better preservation of retinas compared to untreated eyes, offering hope for future whole-eye transplants.
- The technology could reduce the need for animal testing in eye research and provide a method to preserve donated eyes for transplantation.
- While whole-eye transplants have been attempted with limited success, the ECaBox may improve outcomes, though clinical trials are needed.