netbook
desktop
mobile
tablet-landscape
tablet
phone-landscape
phone
Research to Prevent Blindness

Understanding Corneal Injuries in Dry Eyes

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that proteins made by stem cells may become new targets for treating and preventing injuries to the cornea related to dry eye disease. They published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

Dry eye disease occurs when the eye can’t provide adequate lubrication with natural tears. People with the common disorder use various types of drops to replace missing natural tears and keep the eyes lubricated, but when eyes are dry, the cornea is more susceptible to injury.

“In this study involving genes that are key to eye health, we identified potential targets for treatment that appear different in dry eyes than in healthy eyes,” said senior investigator and RPB grantee Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor in the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.

“Tens of millions of people around the world — with an estimated 15 million in the United States alone — endure eye pain and blurred vision as a result of complications and injury associated with dry eye disease, and by targeting these proteins, we may be able to more successfully treat or even prevent those injuries,” said Dr. Apte.

Read the full University of Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis press release

Related News: Cornea , Dry Eye, Feature Story, For the Media, Top Story

RPB logo

Research to Prevent Blindness Announces New Sight-Saving Vision Research Grants

RPB launches awards in data science and Diabetic Eye Disease.

Read More

 
RPB Logo

Vision Research Funding Partnership Event Takes Place Today

Leaders of organizations that fund vision research convene in Washington DC to increase collaboration and maximize the impact of research funding for sight-threatening diseases.

Read More

 
RPB logo

Research to Prevent Blindness Marks $400 Million in Funding to Advance Eye Disease Research

RPB funds a new round of researchers and hits a milestone in supporting vision-related breakthroughs.

Read More

 
Giving Tuesday logo

RPB Supporters Save Sight on Giving Tuesday

We welcome your generosity to help us meet our goal!

Read More

 
Dr. Palczewski and lab members

An RPB Awardee Tackles Inherited Retinal Diseases

Dr. Krzysztof Palczewski develops and applies cutting-edge gene editing techniques to challenging genetic conditions.

Read More

 
Dr. David Calkins

RPB and Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Announce 2023 Recipient of RPB David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research

David J. Calkins, PhD, is recognized for ground-breaking contributions to the field of vision research.

Read More

 

Subscribe

Get our email updates filled with the latest news from our researchers about preventing vision loss, treating eye disease and even restoring sight. Unsubscribe at any time. Under our privacy policy, we'll never share your contact information with a third party.