How opioids affect eye immunity and infections
Official title: Differential impact of acute and chronic opioids on ocular innate immunity and infections
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11044479 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using opioids, both for a short time and a long time, might affect the immune system in the eye and increase the risk of infections, like endophthalmitis, so if you've used opioids, this research could help you understand how it might impact your eye health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY037082-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044479 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of opioid use, particularly those experiencing eye-related health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used opioids or do not have any eye health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of acute and chronic opioid use on the immune response in the eye, particularly focusing on how these effects may increase the risk of infections like endophthalmitis. By examining the immune response in human retinal cells and animal models, the study aims to understand the mechanisms by which opioids may suppress immunity and lead to higher infection rates. The research will involve analyzing inflammatory responses and the presence of pathogens in the eye following opioid exposure. Patients with a history of opioid use may find the findings relevant to their health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of infections in patients with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that opioids can impact immune responses, but this specific focus on ocular immunity and infections is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Ashok — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Ashok
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New MRI tools to better plan pediatric epilepsy surgery
A new MRI-based approach helps doctors decide the best time to surgically remove brain tissue in children with difficult-to-control seizures.
-
EBV reactivation and how it changes human cells in HIV-related cancers
This NIH grant looks at how Epstein-Barr virus reactivation affects human cells and may contribute to cancers in people with HIV/AIDS.
-
Programmed splicing derangement and EBV host cell shut-off in HIV/ AIDS-related cancers
Researchers are studying how Epstein-Barr virus reprograms human cells in people with HIV/AIDS to promote cancer development and autoimmune diseases.
-
PFAS may speed up artery disease by changing bile acids
Aims to see if PFAS chemicals make cholesterol rise and arteries more likely to harden, using a human-similar mouse model to understand how this could affect people.
-
Synthesis and measurement of cyanotoxins to understand human exposure from water and air
This project will make precise chemical standards and measurement methods for cyanotoxins from harmful algal blooms to better estimate how people might be exposed through drinking water and air.
-
Personalized cancer subtyping and risk prediction with multi-omics data
A cancer research project aims to classify tumors and predict risk by integrating multiple molecular data types to tailor treatments for patients.
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.