Blood-based ingredients to help the cornea heal
Serum components to support corneal health
This project will find which blood components can be made into eye drops to help people with damaged or dry corneas heal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251975 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze autologous serum tears and other blood-derived samples to measure growth factors, signaling lipids, vitamins, and other bioactive molecules. They will compare samples from people with different ocular surface disorders and from healthy donors to see which combinations support corneal repair. The team aims to define a simpler, standardized formulation that could replace or improve current autologous serum tears. If successful, this work could point to blood-derived eye drops that are easier and less costly to obtain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ocular surface conditions such as severe dry eye (including Sjogren's), persistent corneal epithelial defects, neurotrophic keratopathy, or other corneal healing problems.
Not a fit: People with eye problems unrelated to the cornea (like glaucoma or macular degeneration) or those unable to give blood may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to standardized, easier-to-use blood-derived eye drops that speed healing and reduce symptoms for people with corneal surface disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Autologous serum tears have been used in clinics for decades and often help patients, but the exact active components and optimal formulations remain poorly defined.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chan, Matilda F — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chan, Matilda F
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.