Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a revolutionary treatment for dry eye disease using nanosized photosynthetic membranes extracted from spinach.
The technology, called LEAF (Light-reaction Enriched thylAkoid NADPH-Foundry), consists of thylakoid grana membranes that produce NADPH when exposed to light. In preclinical studies, LEAF eye drops reversed corneal damage to near-healthy levels within five days under ambient indoor lighting, outperforming the drug Restasis® (cyclosporine A).
The study was published in the journal Cell on May 15, 2026.
Background
Dry eye disease affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide and is characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Current treatments target inflammation but have side effects and high costs.
LEAF works by transplanting plant photosynthetic machinery into corneal cells. The membranes produce NADPH, a molecule that neutralizes ROS, restoring the eye's natural antioxidant defenses. The particles are approximately 400 nanometers in size and are delivered as eye drops.
Preclinical Results
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In laboratory tests on inflamed cells, LEAF restored NADPH levels within 30 minutes of light exposure, suppressed ROS, and shifted immune cells to an anti-inflammatory state.
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In tear samples from dry eye patients, LEAF increased NADPH roughly 20-fold and reduced hydrogen peroxide by over 95%.
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Safety assessments over two months showed no adverse effects.
Future Plans
The team plans to conduct clinical trials and is exploring applications in other tissues accessible to light, such as the retina, skin, and skeletal muscles.
"This technology turns the eye's own cells into a self-sustaining, light-powered antioxidant factory."