Corneal and external diseases

Eye research equipment

Research conducted in this category focuses on the front of the eye, including the cornea which is the clear dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye, and the sclera which is the tough outer layer. Conditions related to this area of the eye include keratoconus, corneal ulcers and infections, blepharitis, conjunctivitis and dry eyes.

Research projects:

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but devastating infection at the front of the eye in which a quarter of patients lose significant vision.

Corneal diseases that affect the transparent tissue at the front of the eye can cause visual impairment.  Posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) is a visually-impairing genetic disease that affects the transparent tissue at the front of the eye called the cornea.

The cornea is the clear front of the eye.  It accounts for most of the eye’s refractive power – the ability to focus light - and lacks blood vessels so to be transparent and thereby achieve optimal vision.