iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A recent study suggests that human breast milk may enhance corneal healing, potentially aiding in the recovery of the clear outer layer of the eye.
The cornea is vital for focusing light and enabling clear vision.
Researchers from the University of Colorado’s ophthalmology department discovered that applying human breast milk to corneal wounds in animal models promoted quicker healing, specifically by increasing re-epithelialization, an essential phase in the wound recovery process.
The treated eyes showed elevated levels of Ki67, a protein associated with cell division, indicating that breast milk may accelerate the regeneration of damaged corneal cells. Speedy healing is crucial in eye injuries to prevent infection and additional harm. “The sooner that wound can heal, the better. Human breast milk seems to stimulate that process,” said Mark Petrash, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado.
While the exact mechanism behind this benefit remains unclear, the researchers believe breast milk may have properties similar to serum tears.
Serum tears, a medical treatment derived from a patient’s own blood, contain proteins and growth factors that can support healing in certain eye conditions, including severe dry eye and inflammation.
Although the findings, published in Current Eye Research are promising, Petrash emphasizes that further research is needed to fully understand how breast milk contributes to eye recovery. “Breast milk itself is very complicated. There are sugars, carbohydrates, and lactose. There are a lot of proteins that have human growth factors and different kinds of biological properties. It would be really good to know what is it about breast milk that makes it so therapeutically promising,” he said, highlighting the need for continued studies in this area.
