Understanding pain mechanisms in the cornea

Central and Peripheral Mechanisms of Corneal Pain

NIH-funded research University of New England · NIH-10913422

This study is looking at how pain from the eye's surface is felt and can sometimes lead to ongoing pain, and it's for anyone who experiences eye pain or wants to understand more about it.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of New England NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Biddeford, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913422 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how pain signals from the cornea are processed and how they can lead to chronic pain conditions. It focuses on the diverse types of nerve cells in the cornea and their responses to injury, using advanced techniques to analyze gene expression in both mouse and human nerve cells. By exploring the connections between corneal nerves and brain regions involved in pain perception, the study aims to uncover new insights into the mechanisms of corneal pain and potential treatment targets.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing chronic corneal pain or related ocular conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with acute corneal injuries that do not lead to chronic pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from chronic corneal pain.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding pain mechanisms in other tissues.

Where this research is happening

Biddeford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.