Mitigating Dry Eye Symptoms by Improving Indoor Air Quality
Official title: Mitigating the Dry Eye Disease Burden by Improving Indoor Air Quality
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11344220 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at adults with dry eye symptoms, this study tests a low-cost, multi-faceted plan to improve indoor air and reduce eye discomfort.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,182,523 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY038959-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11344220 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with dry eye symptoms who live in indoor environments and are willing to participate in a crossover trial.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without dry eye symptoms or those not spending significant time indoors may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have dry eye disease and spend a lot of time indoors, this study will test a simple, affordable program to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants and other stressors. Participants will be adults with dry eye symptoms, enrolled in a randomized, crossover design over nine months while living in the Miami area. The researchers will compare two intervention approaches to see which best eases symptoms and lowers healthcare costs. By focusing on real-world indoor environments and multiple air-related factors, the study seeks practical ways to help people feel better at home or work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reduce dry eye symptoms and related healthcare costs by improving indoor air quality.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests indoor air quality affects dry eye symptoms, but results for multimodal interventions are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Naresh — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Naresh
Related research
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This study is looking at how changing the support structure around eye glands might help prevent dry eye and related issues as we age, and it aims to find new ways to help people who struggle with dry eyes.
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.