'Sleep Mask' prototype: The world's first non-invasive treatment for sight loss

Rt Hon David Willetts MP has seen the 'Sleep Mask' prototype - the world's first non-invasive treatment for sight loss that will save the need for expensive hospital treatment - at Northumbria University's Northern Design Centre (NDC).

Northumbria University has made a significant investment in the NDC to establish a world-class centre for Open Innovation and Growth. It will create a focal point for high-value university and industry collaborations on a regional, national and international scale, building a global reputation for expertise and providing research solutions to a range of industry sectors.

The Gateshead-based Centre will bring together businesses and community research users with leading academic staff to better understand the challenges these groups face. It will also be the home for start-up businesses of students on the BA Business Entrepreneurs programme - an innovative way of developing entrepreneurial and business skills in the region.

David Willetts MP, Government Minister for Universities and Science, spoke with Northumbria researchers and students during his visit to the NDC. He said: "Northumbria University is a good example of how collaboration between universities and businesses is vital for growth.

"These students are developing innovative new products and getting valuable industry experience that will set them up for the world of work."

The sleep mask is one example of the types of collaboration available through the NDC and could save the sight of hundreds of millions of people with diabetes-related eyesight problems, without the need for surgery.

Led by Dr Stuart English, a specialist in design-led innovation, the team have collaborated with PolyPhotonix Ltd to design the world's first non-invasive primary care treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy and age-related macular eye disease.

PolyPhotonix Ltd - based in County Durham - designs, develops and manufactures photonic-based primary care medical devices and has worked with designers at Northumbria to develop 'Sleep Mask' as a home-based prevention treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina when new fragile blood vessels start to grow and often leak blood and fluid. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness among working-age individuals in developed countries.

Current treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy are Laser Photocoagulation and Intraocular Injections - procedures that are highly invasive, hospital-based and expensive. The new Sleep Mask prototype, which is currently undergoing extensive clinical trials, is a home-based, non-invasive, monitored therapy and will be delivered at a fraction of the current treatment costs.

Dr English said: "The innovation resulting from this research is expected to have significant international impact. Diabetes is a disease affecting millions throughout the world and a 50% increase in global diabetes has been forecast between 2010 and 2030.
"The product we have developed with PolyPhotonix is a treatment for macular eye disease that is non-invasive, saving lots of money over existing treatments such as using lasers and injections into the eye."

The diabetic population in the UK is estimated at 3.5 million, and globally at 320 million, with growth rates described as a global epidemic. Around 90% of people with Type 1 diabetes will develop Diabetic Retinopathy within 10 years and 67% of those with Type 2 diabetes will develop Diabetic Retinopathy within a decade.

Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: "Combining high-quality research expertise with business innovation is an important part of Northumbria University's mission as a research engaged, business-focussed, professional university. Our values and aims are directly reflected in the Northern Design Centre and the work that will be undertaken there.

"The Sleep Mask prototype presented at the NDC is testament to the world-changing inventions and technological advancement that our academics are already playing a key role in."

Source: Northumbria University's Northern Design Centre