R33EY032468

Tear protein biomarkers of refractive surgery pain - project summary

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) are surgical procedures used to correct refractive errors, with approximately 600,000 surgeries performed in the United States each year. A proportion (10 - 20%) of individuals develop persistent ocular pain after refractive surgery, which is a source of tremendous morbidity, limiting the ability to work, impacting mental health, and leading to suicidal ideation in severe cases.

We hypothesize that proteins in the tear fluid modulate corneal nerve function, increasing the risk of and contributing to persistent pain after refractive surgery. As such, our studies will use proteomic analysis of tear fluid after surgery to identify diagnostic biomarkers for persistent ocular pain. We will also examine tear proteins prior to surgery in an effort to identify prognostic biomarkers that predict which individuals are likely to develop persistent pain after surgery.

R33 phase studies will use an alternative proteomics platform for analytical validation, and an additional new patient population for clinical validation. This knowledge can lead to better preventative and therapeutic algorithms to combat this debilitating condition and thus improve quality of life and decrease patient suffering.

Oregon Health & Science University

1) TO SUPPORT EYE AND VISION RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS THE LEADING CAUSES OF BLINDNESS AND IMPAIRED VISION IN THE U.S. THESE INCLUDE RETINAL DISEASES, CORNEAL DISEASES, CATARACT, GLAUCOMA AND OPTIC NEUROPATHIES, STRABISMUS, AMBLYOPIA, AND LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS REHABILITATION. 2) TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE NORMAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION OF THE VISUAL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO BETTER PREVENT, DIAGNOSE, AND TREAT SIGHT-THREATENING CONDITIONS, AND, TO ENHANCE THE REHABILITATION, TRAINING, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PARTIALLY-SIGHTED OR BLIND. 3) TO SUPPORT A BROAD PROGRAM OF BASIC VISION RESEARCH THROUGH GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, TO ENCOURAGE HIGH QUALITY CLINICAL RESEARCH, INCLUDING CLINICAL TRIALS, OTHER EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES, AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN THE SCIENCES RELATED TO VISION, AND TO SPONSOR SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS IN HIGH PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS TO ENCOURAGE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AMONG SCIENTISTS. 4) SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM: TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.867 - Vision Research

National Eye Institute (NEI) [HHS - NIH]

Portland, Oregon 972393011 United States

Single Zip Code

Discovery of Biomarkers, Biomarker Signatures, and Endpoints for Pain (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-NS-18-041)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 258% from $883,674 to $3,161,461.