Spinach-Powered Eye Drops Harness Light to Fight Dry Eye
A team from the National University of Singapore developed LEAF—light-reaction enriched thylakoid NADPH-foundry—by delivering spinach-derived photosynthetic machinery as eye drops. When exposed to ambient light, the transplanted thylakoids generate NADPH in mammalian eye cells to counter ROS, reducing inflammation associated with dry eye. In lab tests and mice, LEAF outperformed Restasis and tear-fluid assays showed oxidant reductions; clinical trials are planned. However, the particles degrade within hours and long-term efficacy and safety in humans remain to be determined, with potential applications for other light-activated therapies.
