Understanding how dry eye disease progresses
Official title: Defining mechanisms driving dry eye disease progression
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11046163 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how dry eye disease gets worse in people with autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, to help find better ways to manage the symptoms by understanding the changes happening in the eye.
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) | $104,973 |
| NIH project number | 3R01EY033040-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046163 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with aqueous-deficient dry eye, particularly those with underlying autoimmune diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with dry eye disease not associated with autoimmune conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that lead to the progression of dry eye disease, particularly in patients with autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. By examining the cellular changes in the cornea and the surrounding tissues, the study aims to identify how inflammation and other factors contribute to the worsening of dry eye symptoms. The research utilizes both human patient data and mouse models to explore the cellular diversity and differentiation in the cornea, which could reveal new insights into disease management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from dry eye disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding dry eye disease through similar cellular and inflammatory approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.
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.