Corneal blindness is a major global health challenge, one that continues to impact quality of life for millions. A wave of research, innovation and strategic collaboration is pushing the field of vision restoration forward—making transplants more effective, accessible and transformative.
At Eversight, we’re deeply engaged in this evolution, not only as a provider of sight-restoring tissue, but as a research partner and innovation catalyst helping redefine what’s possible in ophthalmology and patient care.
Disclaimer: Medical information is not medical advice—read our disclaimer.
Eye banks are increasingly recognized as research hubs as well as tissue providers. A recent Ocular Surgery News feature highlights how collaborative research is improving tissue preparation, transplantation success and regenerative therapies.
At the annual Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) conference, scientists and clinicians are advancing ex vivo cell therapies, high-resolution imaging and novel allograft products—all pointing toward more personalized approaches to restoring sight. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also recognizes the critical importance of pursuing human-based research.
“By integrating advances in data science and technology with our growing understanding of human biology, we can fundamentally reimagine the way research is conducted—from clinical development to real-world application,” said NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. “This human-based approach will accelerate innovation, improve healthcare outcomes and deliver life-changing treatments. It marks a critical leap forward for science, public trust and patient care.”
These trends underscore why organizations like Eversight—where research, clinical insight and innovation intersect—are essential in translating this momentum into real-world advances for clinicians and patients.
Eversight collaborates with Emmecell to develop minimally invasive cell therapy that may reduce or replace the need for full-cornea transplants in cases of corneal endothelial dysfunction. The approach expands donor corneal endothelial cells and delivers them via injection, allowing a single donor cornea to serve many more patients. Eversight contributes donor tissue, regulatory expertise and technical validation for this promising therapy.
Eversight researchers are also involved in a project with the University of Pittsburgh investigating stromal keratocytes cell injection: A Full Good Manufacturing Practice-Compliant Protocol for Corneal Stromal Stem Cell Cultivation.
ULTIMATE GOAL ➡️ Turn a single donor cornea into less-invasive treatments for many more people.
In partnership with an Australian research group, Eversight is helping develop HYGELIX—an ultrathin hydrogel scaffold that attaches to donor corneal tissue in endothelial keratoplasty (EK) surgery to simplify handing and positioning.
ULTIMATE GOAL ➡️ Reduce graft damage, improve outcomes and expand transplant access worldwide.
With Phoenix Nest, Eversight provides tissue and imaging support to study Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS IIIC), a rare neurodegenerative disorder with retinal involvement.
ULTIMATE GOAL ➡️ Enable earlier diagnosis and inform future therapeutic approaches.
KLAL‑Pro is an eye bank–prepared, limbal epithelial stem cell-enriched keratolimbal allograft, pre-validated by optical coherence tomography (OCT). This standardized KLAL-Pro preparation preserves stem cell-rich tissue. Early results show strong stem cell expansion, faster healing and better visual recovery.
ULTIMATE GOAL ➡️ Reduce surgical variability, reduce operating room time and improve reproducibility.
Through a four-year partnership, Eversight and LighTopTech are integrating the dual-modality OCX™ system—combining OCT and optical coherence microscopy—into tissue evaluation. The system provides precise, non-destructive imaging that confirms specifications, detects anomalies and enables automated metrics such as corneal endothelial cell counting, improving both quality control and research data.
In partnership with Case Western Reserve University, Eversight was awarded an Eye Bank Association of America High Impact Grant to develop an AI-driven software tool that automates corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) analysis from donor cornea images. Today, this evaluation is one of the most labor-intensive and variable steps in eye banking, with image quality, technician experience and manual counting methods all influencing accuracy.
By applying deep learning to more than 15,000 donor corneal endothelial images, the project aims to deliver faster, more consistent and more objective ECD assessments to identify transplantable tissue more accurately and efficiently.
ULTIMATE GOAL ➡️ Reduce technician workload, improve quality control and increase the number of transplant-eligible corneas.
Eversight is a collaborator in a six‑year ARPA‑H‑funded initiative to make vision-restoring whole-eye transplants possible. The project explores optic nerve regeneration, donor eye preservation, immune control and surgical techniques that maintain neural connections.
ULTIMATE GOAL ➡️ Inform innovations in tissue viability and neuroregeneration.
The future of corneal transplantation isn’t confined to the operating room; it is being shaped in research labs, imaging suites and global partnerships. Eversight’s dual role—as a steward of the gift of sight and an engine of innovation—ensures that every donation advances both care and knowledge. From KLAL-Pro to cell therapy, from high-resolution imaging to whole-eye transplant initiatives, Eversight is driving the next evolution of sight restoration.
Still, challenges such as immune rejection, tissue shortages and equitable access demand continued collaboration, bold thinking and sustained investment. The generosity of donors like Ben Bloom and the dedication of surgeons and scientists together create a lasting legacy of sight.
Whether by registering as a donor, partnering in research or supporting our mission, you can help drive the innovations that will one day make blindness a condition of the past.
Together, we can transform the gift of sight into a future where everyone has the chance to see.