Drones Revolutionize Eye Care with Swift Cornea Delivery

ICMR's pioneering study explores using drones for swift transport of ophthalmic bio-materials like corneas and amniotic membranes. Successful flights reduced transport time and ensured tissue integrity, crucial for timely transplants. This initiative could transform healthcare logistics, offering rapid delivery to remote areas and easing pressure on tertiary hospitals.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has embarked on a groundbreaking study focusing on the aerial delivery of sensitive ophthalmic bio-materials, such as human corneas and amniotic membrane grafts. The study, in collaboration with AIIMS-Delhi and Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, and backed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, seeks to evaluate the viability of using drones for transporting critical ophthalmic materials from collection centers to tertiary hospitals.

In a successful trial, a drone transported corneal tissue from Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital in Sonipat to AIIMS-Delhi, covering the distance in just 40 minutes as opposed to the usual 2.5 hours by road. The drone ensured specimen integrity, leading to a successful transplant surgery upon arrival. This innovative use of drones offers a reliable, swift, and temperature-stable alternative to traditional transport methods, which often face unpredictability.

The initiative, part of ICMR's i-DRONE platform, originally conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, marks a significant step in enhancing patient access and timely medical interventions, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision of a self-reliant India driven by innovation. As India fortifies its drone ecosystem, such studies are vital for building a robust healthcare infrastructure, experts say.

(With inputs from agencies.)