Improving corneal health in diabetic patients
Official title: Restoration of Structure and Function in the Diabetic Cornea
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11064155 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new treatment that uses special proteins to help improve the health of the eye's surface in people with diabetes, aiming to prevent damage from high sugar levels that can cause problems like slow healing and nerve issues in the eye.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $615,979 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY035494-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064155 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with diabetes who are experiencing corneal issues such as impaired healing or neuropathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not have corneal complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new peptide-based therapy aimed at restoring the structure and function of the cornea in patients with diabetes. It focuses on understanding how this therapy can prevent damage caused by high glucose levels, which often leads to complications like impaired wound healing and corneal neuropathy. The study will involve both laboratory experiments and assessments in living models to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment on corneal cells and overall eye health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve vision and quality of life for diabetic patients suffering from corneal complications.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using peptide-based therapies is promising, the specific application to corneal health in diabetic patients is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berger, Elizabeth — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Berger, Elizabeth
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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.