Australia grants University of Sydney $35m for cornea manufacturing facility

More than 2,000 Australians need a corneal tissue transplant for restored vision.

The University of Sydney has received $35m through the Medical Research Future Fund for the establishment of a facility that produces and distributes bioengineered corneas.

The manufacturing plant aims to make artificial corneas available to Australia and the world.

The effort is part of the initiative of the Australian Government to aid the global battle against blindness. Corneal disease is the third most common form of blindness worldwide.

Currently, over 2,000 Australians require a corneal tissue transplant to restore their vision. However, for every 70 patients that need a corneal transplant, one donor cornea is only available.

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“More than 2,000 Australians every year require a corneal tissue transplant to restore their sight. This facility is a major step forward to ensuring there is help available for those who need it. These revolutionary treatments prove once again that Australian medical researchers are among the best in the world,” Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care, stated.

The funding will last for over 10 years, putting Australia at the forefront of medical research around the world.