Investigating how damage to the cornea affects pain signaling in the eye.
Official title: Effects of cornea epithelial barrier disruption on the cornea trigeminal neural circuit
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10913525 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems with the outer layer of the eye (the cornea) can cause more pain and discomfort, especially for people with dry eye or injuries, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat that pain by understanding the changes in eye and nerve cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,187,390 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EY034692-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913525 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing corneal pain or discomfort due to conditions like dry eye or corneal abrasions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact corneal epithelium and no symptoms of pain or discomfort may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between the cornea and the trigeminal nerve, focusing on how disruptions to the corneal epithelial barrier can lead to increased pain and discomfort. By examining corneal and nerve cells under normal and stressed conditions, the study aims to understand the biological changes that occur when the cornea is damaged, such as in dry eye or after injury. Advanced techniques like single-cell RNA profiling will be used to identify specific genes and cellular interactions that contribute to nerve sensitivity and pain. The findings could help in developing targeted treatments for conditions that cause corneal pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for patients with corneal disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding nerve signaling in other contexts, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pflugfelder, Stephen C — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pflugfelder, Stephen C
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.