Understanding tear film thickness to help diagnose and manage dry eye
Official title: Correlating the microstructural thickness variations of the tear film lipid layer with clinical characteristics of dry eye with a novel optical method
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11319894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at a U.S. university will look at how the thin outer layer of tears changes in people with dry eye and how those changes relate to their symptoms and clinical signs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $374,877 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034990-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11319894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with dry eye disease who can participate in eye examinations and imaging.
✕Less likely to help
People without dry eye or who cannot undergo the imaging procedure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will use a new optical method to measure subtle thickness variations in the tear film lipid layer in people with dry eye. They will examine how these microstructural differences relate to clinical features like symptoms, tear stability, and signs seen during eye exams. The goal is to identify potential biomarkers that could lead to earlier diagnosis and better understanding of how dry eye develops. The study involves real patients and follows ethical guidelines to ensure safety and informed participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new diagnostic markers and better-targeted treatments for dry eye.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests tear film changes are linked to dry eye, but this study seeks to clarify the biomarker relationship using a novel imaging approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bai, Yuqiang — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Bai, Yuqiang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
Understanding migraine and eye pain: how light and nerves cause discomfort in migraine and dry eye
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.
-
A new way to understand evaporative dry eye
Researchers are building a lab model to better understand why people develop evaporative dry eye so treatments can be improved.
-
Mitigating Dry Eye Symptoms by Improving Indoor Air Quality
Aimed at adults with dry eye symptoms, this study tests a low-cost, multi-faceted plan to improve indoor air and reduce eye discomfort.
-
Tear microRNA patterns in women and men with dry eye
Researchers will look at tiny RNA molecules in tear fluid from people with dry eye to find patterns linked to sex and race.
-
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.
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.