Creating a realistic 3D model of the human cornea for keratoconus treatment
Official title: Advanced 3D model of the Human Cornea for Keratoconus
Funded at Cfd Research Corporation · NIH-10821906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a detailed 3D model of the eye's cornea to help us understand keratoconus better, which could lead to better treatments and tools for people dealing with this vision loss condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cfd Research Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Huntsville, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $297,153 |
| NIH project number | 1R43EY035893-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10821906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with keratoconus or those experiencing progressive vision loss related to corneal degradation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with corneal conditions unrelated to keratoconus may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an advanced 3D model of the human cornea to better understand keratoconus, a condition that leads to progressive vision loss. The project aims to create a model that accurately reflects the corneal curvature and incorporates the flow of tear film and aqueous humor, which are crucial for studying the disease and potential treatments. By addressing the limitations of existing corneal models, this research seeks to provide a more physiologically relevant platform for testing therapies and understanding the disease's progression. Patients may benefit from improved treatment options and better diagnostic tools as a result of this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments and diagnostic methods for patients with keratoconus.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in corneal modeling, this approach is novel and aims to fill significant gaps in current research.
Where this research is happening
-
Cfd Research Corporation
Huntsville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roehm, Kevin — Cfd Research Corporation
- Study coordinator: Roehm, Kevin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Engineered Cornea Chip to Study Keratoconus Curvature
A patient-friendly model of keratoconus will be created on a tiny, engineered eye chip to study how shape changes affect eye tissue and to identify potential new treatments.
-
How hormones and the pituitary may affect keratoconus
This project looks at whether sex hormones and pituitary signals change the cornea in people with keratoconus to help explain why the disease starts and progresses.
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Cell and genetic causes of keratoconus
Researchers are analyzing cell changes and genes in people with keratoconus to find early warning signs and new treatment targets.
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Wide-view cornea imaging to detect keratoconus
This project is building a wide-field corneal OCT scan to spot tiny early changes in the cornea in people with or at risk for keratoconus.
-
Exploring the connection between keratoconus and sex hormones
This study is looking at how sex hormones might affect keratoconus, an eye condition that can worsen vision, to help find better ways to manage it and improve care for people dealing with this issue.
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Improving early detection of keratoconus using advanced imaging technology
This study is testing a new imaging technology that helps doctors spot keratoconus earlier by taking detailed pictures of the eye's surface, which could lead to better treatment and help protect your vision.
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.