NIH R01 · 2024
Cellular and Genetic Defects in Keratoconus
Keratoconus (KC), a common corneal dystrophy that affects young people, causes progressive thinning, scarring and loss of corneal shape, which can ultimately lead to loss of vision. Crosslinking of collagens in the cornea can stiffen and delay its weakening, but severe cases require corneal transplantation. Although KC has a strong genetic component, its etiology is complex, polygenic and multifactorial. There is an urgent need to understand its etiology for developing early diagnosis and treatment strategies for KC. To address this, our competitive renewal application focuses on identifying cellular defects, biomarkers and the genetic causes of KC. Beyond obvious familial KC, the vast…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.