Mpox-related eye disease: how the virus affects the eye and eye-keeper biomarkers
Official title: Clinical and molecular biomarker surveillance in Mpox-related ocular disease
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11578612 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A medical research project will look at how mpox affects the eye, including biomarkers in tears and eye tissues, to better understand and monitor eye disease caused by mpox.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $22,453 |
| NIH project number | 3R01EY038077-01A1S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11578612 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with mpox who develop or are at risk of eye (ocular) involvement may participate.
✕Less likely to help
People without ocular mpox symptoms or exposure may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to describe the eye-related manifestations of mpox and how the virus behaves in the tear film and ocular tissues. By examining clinical data and molecular biomarkers, it seeks to map the range of eye symptoms, how the virus spreads within the eye, and the body’s immune response in affected patients. The study will involve collecting ocular samples and tracking patients’ eye health over time to identify patterns that could guide treatment and prevention of vision loss. The findings could help clinicians detect ocular mpox earlier and tailor care to protect vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with mpox could receive earlier detection and better-targeted eye care to reduce vision loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous reports have linked mpox ocular involvement to vision problems, but comprehensive ocular biomarker studies are still emerging and this could add new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeh, Steven — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yeh, Steven
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.