How sudden eye pressure affects the optic nerve head
The mechanotranscriptome of the optic nerve head following acute experimental ocular hypertension in living human eyes
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11307283
This project measures how a sudden rise in eye pressure changes cells and tissues at the back of the eye to help people with glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11307283 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You may hear about this work if researchers study donated human eyes through the Living Eye Project. In donors who have given research consent, the team raises intraocular pressure briefly in the living human eye before organ procurement and then examines the same eyes after removal. They map gene activity and tissue changes in the optic nerve head and surrounding sclera to see how mechanical stress triggers cellular responses. The goal is to connect immediate pressure-driven changes with later tissue remodeling that can damage vision.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, or at elevated risk for glaucoma who consider research consent for eye donation are most directly connected to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without glaucoma or eye-pressure-related risk are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation in this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular triggers of pressure-related optic nerve damage and point to new ways to protect vision beyond lowering eye pressure.
How similar studies have performed: Animal models have repeatedly shown pressure-driven changes in the optic nerve, but performing these experiments in living human eyes is novel.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GIRKIN, CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: GIRKIN, CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY
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.