New Delhi, Feb 8 : Human breast milk may play a vital role in promoting the healing of the cornea, the transparent outer layer at the front of the eye responsible for focusing light and enabling clear vision, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Colorado have found that applying human breast milk to wounded corneas in animal models significantly enhanced the process of re-epithelialization, a key step in wound healing. The corneal healing process is complex and involves multiple stages, including cell death, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix.
The study revealed that corneas treated with human breast milk exhibited elevated levels of Ki67—a protein that is produced during active cell division, indicating accelerated cell regeneration. Speedy recovery is critical in corneal injuries, as prolonged wounds can lead to infections that may cause further damage to vision.
“The sooner the 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 through which breast milk aids in recovery is not yet fully understood, researchers believe its properties may be similar to serum tears—a treatment derived from a patient’s own blood. Serum tears are prepared by centrifuging blood to separate the serum, which is then sterilized and used to treat severe cases of dry eye and inflammatory eye diseases due to its rich content of proteins and growth factors that mimic natural tears.
The findings, published in the journal Current Eye Research, suggest that breast milk’s therapeutic potential is significant, though much remains to be discovered. “Breast milk itself is highly complex,” Petrash noted. “It contains a variety of components, including sugars, carbohydrates, lactose, proteins, and human growth factors, all of which have different biological properties. Understanding exactly what makes breast milk so effective in promoting healing would be an important step forward.”
The team emphasized that further research is needed to uncover the full extent of breast milk’s therapeutic benefits for corneal injuries and other eye conditions. ( With inputs from IANS)