A new type of plug to help relieve dry eye symptoms
Official title: Humidifeye Plug for Dry Eye Disease
Funded at Aesculatech, INC. · NIH-11216481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new type of eye plug that can help make life easier for people with dry eyes by using special materials that adjust to their needs, aiming to provide more comfort and better results than current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aesculatech, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,220,683 |
| NIH project number | 4R44EY034758-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11216481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Dry Eye Disease, particularly those who have not found relief with current treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Dry Eye Disease or those who are allergic to the materials used in the plugs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel punctal plug designed to alleviate symptoms of Dry Eye Disease (DED) using advanced hydrogels that respond to environmental changes. The goal is to create a patient-adaptable device that offers better comfort and effectiveness compared to existing treatments, which often have limitations such as discomfort and poor compliance. By utilizing materials that have been shown to be effective in biomedical applications, the research aims to provide a long-term solution for patients suffering from DED. The project addresses a significant healthcare burden, particularly as the prevalence of dry eye increases with factors like aging and increased screen time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with a more effective and comfortable treatment option for managing dry eye symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using hydrogels for biomedical applications, but this specific approach to long-term medical inserts is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Aesculatech, INC.
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bayat, Niki — Aesculatech, INC.
- Study coordinator: Bayat, Niki
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stabilizing the tear film to relieve evaporative dry eye
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-
A new way to understand evaporative dry eye
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-
Mitigating Dry Eye Symptoms by Improving Indoor Air Quality
Aimed at adults with dry eye symptoms, this study tests a low-cost, multi-faceted plan to improve indoor air and reduce eye discomfort.
-
Tear microRNA patterns in women and men with dry eye
Researchers will look at tiny RNA molecules in tear fluid from people with dry eye to find patterns linked to sex and race.
-
Immune causes of chronic dry eye
This work looks at how certain immune cells make dry eye persist in adults and aims to point toward better, longer-lasting treatments.
-
Preventing dry eye disease and age-related Meibomian gland dysfunction
This study is looking at how changing the support structure around eye glands might help prevent dry eye and related issues as we age, and it aims to find new ways to help people who struggle with dry eyes.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.