The Fellows will share their research and recommendations on epidemic outreach with their local communities, in a report scheduled for next year.

Laboratory-made “biosynthetic” corneas can spur damaged tissue and broken nerves to regenerate, restoring vision in human eyes just as well as donor corneas, according to a two-year study of 10 patients reported in Science Translational Medicine.

A worldwide shortage of donated corneas leaves millions of people likely to go blind each year. Now, researchers in Sweden show that these biosynthetic corneas made with human collagen may allow patients who need corneal transplants but do not have donors to regain normal sight.