A new way to understand evaporative dry eye
Defining a new model of evaporative dry eye disease
Researchers are building a lab model to better understand why people develop evaporative dry eye so treatments can be improved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11398342 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will create and test a lab model that mimics evaporative dry eye seen in people. The team will use animal models and laboratory assays to study how tear-film breakdown, gland function, and lipid-related pathways contribute to evaporation. They will measure changes on the eye surface, biochemical signals, and factors that affect tear stability. Results are intended to make preclinical testing of future therapies more relevant to human dry eye.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with evaporative dry eye—especially those with meibomian gland dysfunction or signs of excessive tear evaporation—would be the most likely future candidates to benefit from follow-up trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose dry eye is primarily due to low tear production (aqueous-deficient dry eye) or who have unrelated eye diseases may not see direct benefits from this specific model.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could speed the development of more effective treatments and tests for evaporative dry eye.
How similar studies have performed: Some animal and lab models for dry eye exist, but this project aims to create a more faithful and useful model and is relatively novel in its focus.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leonard, Brian C. — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Leonard, Brian C.
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 below.