Electromechanical reshaping of the cornea to adjust vision
Official title: The Electromechanical Reshaping of Cornea
Funded at Occidental College · NIH-11444584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at a non-surgical approach that uses tiny electrical pulses to temporarily soften corneal tissue so it can be shaped for better vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Occidental College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $361,050 |
| NIH project number | 2R15EY032273-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates may include individuals with refractive errors seeking non-surgical or less invasive correction options.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate, proven surgical outcomes may not benefit until later-stage trials.
What this research studies
This grant explores a novel, non-ablative method called electromechanical reshaping (EMR) to subtly alter the cornea’s shape. Researchers will study how short electrical pulses cause chemical changes in the cornea’s collagen matrix, enabling safe mechanical remodeling without traditional surgery. The work builds on prior findings showing EMR can change corneal shape in ex vivo eyes, with aims to translate these ideas toward real patient treatments. If successful, this could provide a less invasive option for vision correction compared with LASIK or PRK.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have a less invasive way to correct refractive errors and reduce surgical risks.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary ex vivo results suggest EMR can reshape corneal tissue, indicating potential but needing confirmation in living eyes.
Where this research is happening
-
Occidental College
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hill, Michael G — Occidental College
- Study coordinator: Hill, Michael G
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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.