Investigating tear fluid differences in dry eye disease based on sex and race
Official title: Sex-specific Influences on tear microRNAs in dry eye disease
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11117178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at dry eye disease to find out how certain tiny molecules in your tears can help us understand the condition better and create personalized treatments, especially for women and specific racial groups who may be more affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $516,391 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036114-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11117178 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing symptoms of dry eye disease, particularly women and those from diverse racial backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have dry eye disease or those who do not experience significant symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on dry eye disease (DED), which causes discomfort and vision problems, particularly affecting women and certain racial groups more severely. By analyzing tear fluid, which can be collected easily and non-invasively, the study aims to identify specific microRNAs and proteins that may serve as biomarkers for different subtypes of DED. The research will involve a large sample size of 800 participants to ensure diverse representation and will explore how these biomarkers correlate with disease severity. Ultimately, the goal is to develop personalized treatment strategies that consider individual differences in tear composition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and personalized treatment options for patients suffering from dry eye disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers for various diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights for dry eye disease as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharma, Ashok — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Sharma, Ashok
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stabilizing the tear film to relieve evaporative dry eye
This project tests new ways to stabilize the tear film in people with evaporative dry eye, with the goal of longer-lasting comfort.
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A new way to understand evaporative dry eye
Researchers are building a lab model to better understand why people develop evaporative dry eye so treatments can be improved.
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Mitigating Dry Eye Symptoms by Improving Indoor Air Quality
Aimed at adults with dry eye symptoms, this study tests a low-cost, multi-faceted plan to improve indoor air and reduce eye discomfort.
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Tear microRNA patterns in women and men with dry eye
Researchers will look at tiny RNA molecules in tear fluid from people with dry eye to find patterns linked to sex and race.
-
Immune causes of chronic dry eye
This work looks at how certain immune cells make dry eye persist in adults and aims to point toward better, longer-lasting treatments.
-
A new type of plug to help relieve dry eye symptoms
This study is working on a new type of eye plug that can help make life easier for people with dry eyes by using special materials that adjust to their needs, aiming to provide more comfort and better results than current treatments.
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.