Understanding how dry eye disease progresses
Official title: Defining mechanisms driving dry eye disease progression
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10898842 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how dry eye disease, especially when connected to autoimmune issues like Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, affects the cells in your eyes, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $410,001 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033040-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898842 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with aqueous-deficient dry eye disease, particularly those with underlying autoimmune conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with dry eye disease not linked to autoimmune disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the progression of aqueous-deficient dry eye disease, which is often linked to autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. The study focuses on the cellular diversity and differentiation of corneal cells, aiming to understand how dry eye affects these cells and leads to various pathological changes. By examining both human patients and mouse models, the research seeks to uncover the impact of chronic inflammation on the cornea and its function. This could provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for managing dry eye disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from dry eye disease, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding dry eye disease mechanisms, but this specific approach to cellular diversity and differentiation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knox, Sarah Monica — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Knox, Sarah Monica
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
A new way to understand evaporative dry eye
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Mitigating Dry Eye Symptoms by Improving Indoor Air Quality
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-
Tear microRNA patterns in women and men with dry eye
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-
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.