Improving vision for keratoconus patients with advanced contact lenses
Official title: Adding Personalized Wavefront-Compensating Optics to a Contact Lens After Lens Manufacture
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-10724501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of contact lens designed specifically for people with keratoconus to help improve their vision by using special technology that better corrects the unique distortions caused by their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $385,368 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY035458-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10724501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with keratoconus who are currently experiencing visual impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to keratoconus or those who do not wear contact lenses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of contact lens that incorporates personalized wavefront-compensating optics to better correct vision for individuals with keratoconus, a condition that causes distorted vision due to corneal irregularities. Traditional soft contact lenses are ineffective for this condition, and current rigid lenses do not fully address the higher-order optical aberrations that keratoconus patients experience. By utilizing wavefront-guided correction, this approach aims to provide a more tailored solution that enhances visual outcomes and quality of life for patients. The study will involve testing these advanced lenses to evaluate their effectiveness in improving vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the visual acuity and quality of life for patients suffering from keratoconus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise with wavefront-guided corrections in other types of lenses, but this specific application in soft contact lenses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marsack, Jason D — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Marsack, Jason D
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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.