New Electromechanical Technique Offers Quick Vision Correction

A groundbreaking vision correction technique has emerged, offering the potential to reshape the cornea without lasers or invasive procedures. Researchers from Occidental College and the University of California, Irvine presented their findings on a method known as electromechanical reshaping (EMR) during the American Chemical Society’s Fall 2025 meeting. This novel approach utilizes a mild electric current to modify the cornea’s shape, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgical options.

The cornea, a crucial component of the eye, acts as the primary lens that focuses light onto the retina. Its shape significantly influences vision, and irregularities can lead to conditions such as nearsightedness, known as myopia, and farsightedness. Current corrective options primarily involve LASIK surgery, which reshapes the cornea by removing tissue. While LASIK has a success rate of around 95%, it is costly and alters the eye’s structural integrity.

“LASIK is just a fancy way of doing traditional surgery,” said Michael Hill, a professor at Occidental College and lead researcher of the study. “It’s still carving tissue – it’s just carving with a laser.” In contrast, the EMR technique aims to reshape the cornea without tissue removal.

How Electromechanical Reshaping Works

The research team discovered that applying a low-level electrical current via a specially designed platinum “contact lens” electrode could induce a temporary pH shift in the corneal tissue. This shift increases acidity, making the cornea pliable enough to reshape. The entire process takes approximately one minute, and once the current stops, the pH normalizes, allowing the cornea to harden in its new shape.

In initial trials, the researchers tested the EMR method on 12 rabbit eyeballs, successfully reshaping 10 of them to correct myopia. Preliminary measurements indicated effective corneal correction, all achieved without incisions or trauma. “The whole effect was discovered by accident,” said Brian Wong, a professor and surgeon at the University of California, Irvine. “I was looking at living tissues as moldable materials and discovered this whole process of chemical modification.”

While promising, the EMR technique remains in the early stages of development. The initial tests were conducted on isolated eyes, and further studies are necessary to explore its potential on live models. Hill noted, “There’s a long road between what we’ve done and the clinic [and commercial use].”

Future Implications of EMR

The researchers aim to determine the range of corneal corrections possible with EMR. If successful, this technique could provide a more affordable and less invasive option for individuals seeking to eliminate corrective lenses. “If we get there, this technique is widely applicable, vastly cheaper and potentially even reversible,” Hill added.

A paper published in 2023 in the journal ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering discussed the foundational work leading to EMR. The latest research findings were shared by Hill, along with colleagues Daniel Kim and Michelle Chen, at the recent ACS meeting.

As the field of vision correction continues to evolve, EMR represents a significant advancement that could reshape the future of eye care, allowing individuals to regain their sight without the risks associated with traditional surgeries. Further research will clarify its viability and potential integration into clinical practice.