Electrochemical Corneal Reshaping Emerges as a Potential Alternative to LASIK

Forget lasers. This technique tweaks the cornea with nothing more than a zap and a lens.

LASIK may one day have competition from a technique that skips the scalpel and sidesteps the laser. Researchers who presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2025 meeting are exploring a surgery-free way to reshape the cornea using electrochemistry, and early results suggest it could be a game-changer for vision correction.

The method, known as electromechanical reshaping (EMR), is the brainchild of scientists at Occidental College (USA) and the University of California, Irvine (USA). In ex vivo studies with rabbit eyes, EMR successfully altered corneal curvature while maintaining transparency and preserving cell health.¹

How EMR works

Instead of cutting or ablating tissue, EMR harnesses controlled electrical pulses delivered through a custom platinum contact lens. The pulses cause temporary pH shifts that loosen ionic bonds in the corneal stroma, making it malleable. Once the stimulus stops, the pH normalizes, and the cornea “locks in” its new shape.¹

A brief explanation of the EMR process for corneal reshaping, courtesy of ACS.

To make this possible, the team press-molded platinum-foil disks onto 3D-printed hemispheres, creating reshaping lenses of varying focal lengths. During treatment, the lens is placed on the cornea, submerged in physiological solution, and exposed to a precisely timed current, typically for about a minute.¹

Promising early results

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed accurate reshaping, while second-harmonic generation microscopy showed the cornea’s collagen structure remained intact. Cell viability tests revealed only minimal effects on stromal keratocytes, with changes largely confined to the epithelial layer.²

Importantly, the researchers achieved controlled refractive changes across a range of powers, all with equipment far less complex than laser platforms. This raises the possibility of a more cost-effective and accessible alternative.²

To push precision further, the team tested “half-moon” lenses in which only part of the surface was electrochemically active. The results demonstrated EMR’s ability to selectively target reshaping zones while maintaining overall tissue integrity.²

Advantages over LASIK

Unlike LASIK and other laser-based procedures, EMR does not permanently remove corneal tissue or compromise the biomechanical strength of the cornea. This could make it particularly valuable for patients with thin corneas who are not candidates for traditional laser surgery.¹

The technique also shows promise in maintaining corneal transparency and cellular viability, crucial factors for long-term success in vision correction procedures. The researchers noted that by carefully controlling the treatment parameters, they could minimize potential damage to the corneal tissue.¹

The road ahead

Of course, a clever concept in the lab still has miles to go before reaching the clinic. The researchers stress the need for extensive animal studies and eventual human trials. Key questions include long-term stability, the effects of blinking and eye movement, optimal treatment parameters and safety across different patient groups.¹

“There’s a long road between what we’ve done and the clinic,” lead researcher Prof. Michael Hill noted in a statement. “But, if we get there, this technique is widely applicable, vastly cheaper and potentially even reversible.”

The bigger picture

If EMR fulfills its promise, it could shift the landscape of refractive surgery: simpler tools, lower cost and reduced invasiveness—topped off with the intriguing possibility of reversibility. Accessibility in resource-limited settings could be one of its greatest impacts.

For now, funding efforts are underway to advance EMR toward clinical translation, and LASIK remains unchallenged. But this “no-cut, no-laser” contender may just give the reigning champ something to blink about.

Editor’s Note: This content is intended exclusively for healthcare professionals. It is not intended for the general public. Products or therapies discussed may not be registered or approved in all jurisdictions, including Singapore.

REFERENCES

American Chemical Society. Forget LASIK: Safer, cheaper vision correction could be coming soon. ScienceDaily. August 18, 2025. Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818102941.htm. Accessed on August 19, 2025.
Stokolosa AM, Wong BJF, Hill MG, et al. Electromechanical cornea reshaping for refractive vision therapy. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2023;9(2):595-600.