Understanding evaporative dry eye disease and its causes
Official title: Defining a new model of evaporative dry eye disease
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11039647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at dry eye disease by using special mice that have a gene missing, which helps researchers learn more about what causes this common eye problem and how we might be able to treat it better in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $442,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY037056-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with evaporative dry eye disease or those experiencing symptoms related to dry eyes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with aqueous deficient dry eye disease or those without any symptoms of dry eye may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates evaporative dry eye disease (EDED), a common condition characterized by an abnormal tear film that causes inflammation and irritation of the eye. The study utilizes a unique mouse model that lacks a specific gene responsible for lipid synthesis in the tear film, mimicking the condition seen in human patients. By examining these mice, researchers aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of EDED and explore potential new treatments. The findings could lead to better understanding and management of this prevalent eye disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from evaporative dry eye disease.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on dry eye disease, this specific approach using a novel animal model is relatively new and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leonard, Brian C. — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Leonard, Brian C.
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.
-
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.
-
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.