Diabetes impact on corneal donor tissue for endothelial keratoplasty
Official title: Diabetes Endothelial Keratoplasty Study (DEKS): Impact of Diabetes and Other Predictors on Corneal Transplant Endothelial Cell Loss and Success
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11395222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $752,932 |
| NIH project number | 5UG1EY037206-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing DMEK or considering corneal transplant who are receiving donor tissue and have access to follow-up care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients receiving non-diabetic donor tissue or those not planning to participate in long-term follow-up may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
If you are considering a corneal transplant, this study looks at whether donor diabetes affects the success of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and how diabetes severity might change outcomes over time. Researchers will compare grafts from diabetic and non-diabetic donors and track outcomes for at least one year to understand differences in graft survival and cell loss. The study will use eye bank data and clinical follow-up to identify which donor subgroups have better or worse results, guiding tissue selection for future transplants. The goal is to help eye banks and surgeons use the best quality tissue to improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to better donor tissue selection, improving graft success and reducing endothelial cell loss after DMEK.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggested diabetes in donors may influence outcomes, but results are mixed and long-term data are needed; this study builds on those foundations with a focused donor-subgroup analysis.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lass, Jonathan H — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Lass, Jonathan H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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Diabetes and Donor Tissue in Corneal Transplants
This project looks at whether corneas from donors with diabetes affect transplant success and endothelial cell loss in a common corneal procedure.
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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.
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HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
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Retinal signals in early diabetes and how they affect vision
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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.