Understanding How Nerves Help Heal Eye Wounds to Prevent Blindness
Mechanisms Governing Nerve-Mediated Control of Corneal Wound Healing: New Hope for Patients with Neurotrophic Keratopathy
This work explores how nerves in the eye help keep the front surface healthy and heal wounds, aiming to find new treatments for a condition that causes blindness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109463 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When the nerves in the front of the eye are damaged or missing, patients can develop wounds that don't heal, leading to a condition called neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) and potential blindness. We want to understand the tiny processes by which these nerves help renew the eye's surface cells. Our approach involves looking closely at how specific cells, called Schwann cells, interact with stem cells in the eye. By uncovering these key interactions, we hope to develop new eye drop treatments for people living with NK.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is for patients with neurotrophic keratopathy, a condition where damaged corneal nerves lead to persistent eye wounds and vision loss.
Not a fit: Patients without neurotrophic keratopathy or similar corneal nerve damage are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new topical medications that help heal non-healing corneal wounds and prevent blindness in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific mechanisms are unknown, preliminary studies have shown promising indications that nerve-associated cells play a role in supporting corneal health.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borschel, Gregory Howard — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Borschel, Gregory Howard
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.