Replacing damaged eye drainage cells to treat glaucoma
Official title: Translational Studies toward Cell Therapy for Treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Funded at Iowa City VA Medical Center · NIH-11175341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a cell-based treatment to replace lost drainage cells and help people with primary open-angle glaucoma keep eye pressure lower and protect vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX005008-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with primary open-angle glaucoma and elevated intraocular pressure who have ongoing pressure despite medications or who seek longer-term treatments would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with angle-closure glaucoma, vision loss from non-glaucomatous causes, or very advanced optic nerve damage are unlikely to benefit from this cell-replacement approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to make cells that act like the eye's trabecular meshwork (TM) and testing whether putting those cells into the eye can restore drainage. In mouse models of glaucoma, these iPSC-derived TM cells have repopulated the damaged tissue, lowered intraocular pressure, and prevented vision loss. The current work will refine the cell product, study safety and function in preparation for approaches suitable for people with primary open-angle glaucoma. If successful, the team aims to move this approach toward clinical testing in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a long-lasting way to lower eye pressure and slow or prevent vision loss from primary open-angle glaucoma.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in mouse glaucoma models using iPSC-derived trabecular meshwork cells have reduced eye pressure and preserved vision, but human clinical testing has not yet been reported.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuehn, Markus H. — Iowa City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kuehn, Markus H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving glaucoma risk predictions using diverse genetic data
A glaucoma study uses genetic data from people of African, American, and European ancestry to build better risk scores and help with early detection.
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Multimodal AI to predict glaucoma progression and guide care
A big-data AI tool uses eye images, scans, field tests, and health info to help predict who with open-angle glaucoma is at higher risk of vision loss so doctors can act sooner.
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Improving risk prediction for glaucoma in diverse populations
This study is looking to improve how we predict the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma in people of African ancestry, so that they can get better early diagnosis and treatment options based on their unique genetic background.
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Using cell therapy to treat primary open angle glaucoma
This study is testing a new cell therapy to help people with primary open angle glaucoma by using special stem cells to improve eye function and lower pressure, which could help prevent vision loss when regular treatments aren't enough.
-
Better genetic risk prediction for open-angle glaucoma
This project will build more accurate genetic risk tools for people at risk of open-angle glaucoma by including more diverse ancestry groups in the analysis.
-
Improving fairness in glaucoma risk estimation using artificial intelligence
This study is working on a new AI tool to help better predict the risk of glaucoma, especially for people in diverse communities like African and Hispanic Americans, so that everyone can get fairer and more accurate eye care.
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.