A wireless battery-free eye modulation patch for high myopia therapy

The proper axial length of the eye is crucial for achieving emmetropia. In this study, we present a wireless battery-free eye modulation patch designed to correct high myopia and prevent relapse. The patch consists of piezoelectric transducers, an electrochemical micro-actuator, a drug microneedle array, µ-LEDs, a flexible circuit, and biocompatible encapsulation. The system can be wirelessly powered and controlled using external ultrasound. The electrochemical micro-actuator plays a key role in precisely shortening the axial length by driving the posterior sclera inward, ensuring accurate imaging on the retina for myopic eyes. The drug microneedle array delivers riboflavin to the posterior sclera, and µ-LEDs' blue light induces collagen cross-linking, reinforcing scleral strength. In vivo experiments demonstrate that the patch reduces rabbit eye axial length by ~1217 µm and increases scleral strength by 387%. The system operates effectively within the body without batteries, offering a promising avenue for clinically treating high myopia.

Tianyan Zhong, Hangjin Yi, Jiacheng Gou, Jie Li, Miao Liu, Xing Gao, Sizhu Chen, Hongye Guan, Shan Liang, Qianxiong He, Rui Lin, Zhihe Long, Yue Wang, Chuang Shi, Yang Zhan, Yan Zhang, Lili Xing, Jie Zhong, Xinyu Xue