Researchers Develop Spinach-Based Eye Drops to Combat Dry Eye Syndrome
Scientists from the National University of Singapore have developed a novel treatment for dry eye syndrome using spinach-based eye drops. This innovative approach utilizes photosynthetic membrane stacks from spinach leaves, which are applied via eye drops to lab-grown human eye cells and mice with a condition similar to dry eye disease. The treatment, known as LEAF (light-reaction enriched thylakoid NADPH-foundry), harnesses ambient light to produce NADPH, a molecule that helps protect cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In tests, the LEAF treatment outperformed Restasis, a commonly prescribed medication for dry eye disease, by reducing inflammation and cellular stress. Preparations for clinical trials in humans are underway to further explore the efficacy and safety of this treatment. 
