Understanding how steroid exposure affects eye pressure and glaucoma
Official title: Elucidating the molecular changes of the outflow pathway extracellular matrix that regulate outflow facility in steroid-induced ocular hypertension and open angle glaucoma
Funded at Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-11028857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in the eye's structure can raise pressure inside the eye, which is a problem for people with open angle glaucoma, and it’s exploring whether a treatment called tPA can help lower that pressure and improve care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $661,635 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY036983-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11028857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with open angle glaucoma or those experiencing elevated eye pressure due to steroid treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of glaucoma or those not affected by elevated intraocular pressure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a key risk factor for open angle glaucoma (OAG), is influenced by the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the eye. It focuses on the trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, which are crucial for regulating aqueous humor outflow. The study aims to identify how steroid exposure and genetic factors disrupt the ECM, leading to increased IOP. By exploring the potential of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to reverse these changes, the research seeks to restore normal eye pressure and improve treatment options for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively lower eye pressure in patients with glaucoma or those at risk due to steroid use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to address elevated IOP, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Danias, John — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Danias, John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Repairing the eye's drainage support to lower pressure in steroid-related and open-angle glaucoma
This work tests whether reversing changes in the support tissue around drainage cells can help lower eye pressure for people with steroid-induced high eye pressure and open-angle glaucoma.
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Targeted eye medicine to protect vision in glaucoma and steroid-induced glaucoma
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New Treatments for Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma
This project is working to find new eye drop treatments for glaucoma by targeting a specific protein that causes pressure buildup in the eye.
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Investigating how glucocorticoids affect eye pressure and glaucoma risk
This study is looking at how certain medications for inflammation can raise eye pressure and increase the risk of glaucoma in some people, and it aims to find out if genetics play a role in who might be more affected, so we can help keep those at risk safer.
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Targeting a specific protein to treat eye pressure and glaucoma
This study is looking at how a protein called Grp94 affects eye pressure and glaucoma, and it aims to find new treatments that could help people with these conditions by reducing harmful protein buildup in the eye.
-
Gene therapy to normalize eye pressure in juvenile glaucoma
A first-in-class gene therapy using a safe viral vector is being explored to normalize eye pressure in children and adults with juvenile open-angle glaucoma.
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.