New eye drops to protect and heal corneas after ammonia burns
Soluble epoxide hydrolase and epoxide fatty acid involvement in corneal injury after ammonia exposure: Mechanisms of injury and potential therapeutics using sEH inhibitors and biostable EpFA mimics.
Testing new topical medicines to protect and heal corneas injured by ammonia or other alkali burns.
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 ID | NIH-11167547 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating lab and animal models of ammonia-caused corneal burns to understand how the injury develops. They will study natural anti-inflammatory fatty acids (EpFAs) and an enzyme called soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) that breaks them down, then test whether blocking sEH or using stable EpFA-like compounds reduces damage. Promising molecules made in the lab will be given as topical eye drops to see if they reduce inflammation, limit scarring, and improve healing. Findings will guide the development of treatments and potential future patient trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who recently suffered an acute corneal alkali injury from ammonia or a similar caustic exposure, especially those early after the injury, would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with long-standing corneal scarring, non-alkali eye diseases, or those unable to receive topical medications may not receive benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to eye-drop treatments that reduce inflammation, scarring, and vision loss after ammonia or other alkali corneal burns.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical studies show sEH inhibitors and EpFA-like molecules can reduce inflammation and fibrosis in other tissues, but using them for corneal ammonia burns is largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Watsky, Mitchell a — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Watsky, Mitchell a
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 below.