Cornea

The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research to:

• Investigate the various antigenic and anti-angiogenic factors and their resultant signal transduction pathways
• Understand the role of immunity associated with transplantation and corneal graft destruction
• Investigate methods to regenerate corneal endothelial cells and improve techniques to maintain endothelial cells
• Increase our understanding of epithelial cell signaling in the cornea and develop strategies to improve the wound healing process
• Characterize the normal regulation of all tissue associated with tear component formation to identify the dysfunctions occurring in dry eye disease
• Identify the genes that contribute to the pathophysiology of all corneal disease
• Develop high-resolution imaging techniques to diagnose and guide treatment of common corneal disorders
• Understand keratoconus and treatment options
• Address outcomes for the aging population of post-refractive surgery patient

Ocular Pain

• Investigate the cornea nerves and response to pain
• Dissect molecular, cellular, anatomical and/or neurobiological mechanisms of ocular pain and hypersensitivity
• Elucidate the pathophysiology of ocular pain
• Uncover neural adaptations (such as plasticity) in related ocular pathologies including dry eye disease, photophobia (photoallodynia), ocular surface itch, corneal burns, orbital pain, and ocular trauma
• Optimize animal model studies directed at understanding eye pain
• Develop instrumentation for diagnosing and quantifying pain
• Investigate new approaches and therapeutics to treat and alleviate acute and chronic ocular pain