Creating a synthetic eye implant to replace damaged corneas
Synthetic osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP, Tooth-in-Eye surgery)
This study is testing a new, less invasive way to help people with severely damaged corneas by creating a synthetic eye implant that doesn't require removing a tooth, making the treatment easier and quicker for those who have had issues like chemical burns or failed eye surgeries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Marquette University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10722533 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a synthetic osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), also known as Tooth-in-Eye surgery, which aims to improve the treatment of severely damaged corneas. The current OOKP procedure involves harvesting a patient's tooth and surrounding tissue to create a prosthesis, which can be invasive and time-consuming. The new approach seeks to simplify this process by designing a synthetic alternative that eliminates the need for tooth extraction. If successful, this innovative method could provide a less invasive option for patients suffering from severe corneal damage due to conditions like chemical burns or multiple graft failures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals, particularly children and young adults, who have experienced severe corneal damage or multiple failed corneal transplants.
Not a fit: Patients with healthy corneas or those who do not have severe corneal damage may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer a less invasive and more accessible treatment option for patients with severely damaged corneas.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of synthetic keratoprosthesis is being explored, this specific approach to simplify the OOKP procedure is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Marquette University — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tayebi, Lobat — Marquette University
- Study coordinator: Tayebi, Lobat
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.