Understanding migraine and eye pain: how light and nerves cause discomfort in migraine and dry eye
Official title: Mechanisms of Pain and Photophobia in Migraine and Dry Eye
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11418908 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project is studying why eye pain and sensitivity to light happen in people with migraine and dry eye, and how surgery to correct vision may contribute to these symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,007,670 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EY034680-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418908 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with migraine, dry eye disease, or post-refractive surgery symptoms who experience ocular pain or photophobia.
✕Less likely to help
People without migraine, dry eye, or refractive-surgery–related symptoms may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This study looks at the nerve pathways that connect the eye to the brain and how light exposure and immune cells might change those pathways to heighten pain. Researchers will use rodent models of migraine, dry eye, and refractive surgery to map the involved neurons, brain circuits, and molecular signals. They will examine targets like CGRP, TRPM3, and melanopsin to see if they could be used to treat light sensitivity and facial pain without opioids. The goal is to find shared mechanisms across conditions and identify potential new therapies that could relieve persistent ocular pain and photophobia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new non-opioid treatments for eye pain and light sensitivity in migraine and dry eye patients.
How similar studies have gone: Past work has linked CGRP and melanopsin to photophobia, but this project aims to unify mechanisms across conditions in animal models, which is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aicher, Sue a — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Aicher, Sue a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Why migraine and dry eye cause eye pain and light sensitivity
This project looks for nerve and immune changes that make people with migraine, dry eye, or after refractive eye surgery feel eye pain and sensitivity to light.
-
Understanding pain and light sensitivity in migraine and dry eye conditions
This study is looking into why people with migraines and dry eye often feel pain and sensitivity to light, hoping to find new ways to help treat these uncomfortable symptoms.
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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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Oxytocin as a potential migraine fighter for people with aura
A scientist-led study at a major hospital tests whether the brain chemical oxytocin can help stop or prevent migraine attacks that involve aura.
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Meningeal pain and migraine brain hyperexcitability in people
A short study in adults with migraine to understand how pain signals from the brain coverings might make the visual cortex more excitable and trigger migraines.
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Light exposure and sleep in teens with migraine
Teens with migraine and light sensitivity will wear sensors to track daily light and sleep, helping researchers understand how light exposure affects symptoms and nighttime rest.
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.