Diabetes and Donor Tissue in Corneal Transplants
Official title: Diabetes Endothelial Keratoplasty Study (DEKS): Impact of Diabetes and Other Predictors on Corneal Transplant Endothelial Cell Loss and Success
Funded at Jaeb Center for Health Research, INC. · NIH-11094546 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether corneas from donors with diabetes affect transplant success and endothelial cell loss in a common corneal procedure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jaeb Center for Health Research, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $675,389 |
| NIH project number | 2UG1EY030030-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094546 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing DMEK or related corneal endothelial keratoplasty and relevant donor tissue cases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tissue or medical history do not align with the study’s donor subgroups may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one needs a corneal transplant, this study aims to clarify how donor diabetes and diabetes severity might influence graft success after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). Researchers will follow patients and donor tissue outcomes for up to one year to see if diabetic donor tissue behaves differently from non-diabetic tissue. The study builds on prior findings to guide eye banks and surgeons in choosing the best tissue for corneal transplants. The goal is to improve transplant reliability by understanding which donor factors matter most.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better decision-making about which donor tissue to use could lead to higher transplant success and fewer complications for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous data suggest donor diabetes can influence outcomes, but this renewal seeks clearer guidance through systematic analysis.
Where this research is happening
-
Jaeb Center for Health Research, INC.
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gal, Robin L — Jaeb Center for Health Research, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gal, Robin L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Diabetes and Donor Tissue in Corneal Transplants
This grant studies whether corneas from donors with diabetes affect the success of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and what factors predict better or worse outcomes.
-
Diabetes impact on corneal donor tissue for endothelial keratoplasty
This project follows corneal transplants using donor tissue from people with diabetes to see how diabetes affects graft success and endothelial cell loss after surgery.
-
Understanding how diabetes affects corneal transplant success
This project wants to find out if corneas from donors with diabetes work as well for transplants as those from non-diabetic donors.
-
HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.
-
Retinal signals in early diabetes and how they affect vision
This grant looks at how diabetes changes the signals in the retina that control vision, with a focus on inner retinal cells and how these changes may lead to vision problems.
-
Integrated Heart Health: A HEARTS-based approach to hypertension and diabetes in Guatemala
A study tests a team-based, stepwise care model to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for people with both hypertension and diabetes in Guatemala.
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.