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Research on treatment for Keratoconus is underway and The Discovery Eye Foundation is helping to find a cure. Here is some promising research currently underway at our lab:
Keratoconus — New Approaches for Prevention Recent research conducted by M. Cristina Kenney, M.D., Ph.D. is leading to a better understanding of the ways to prevent programmed cell death or "apoptosis,” which is the cause of many ocular diseases. The new field of mitochondrial research is aimed in great part at understanding how to prevent this cell death that is found in the aging process and many eye diseases. Mitochondria provide energy for the cells similar to the batteries in a flashlight. If the mitochondria are damaged then the cell functions poorly and may undergo a programmed cell death or "apoptosis" which is associated with many ocular diseases. The research is being conducted at the Morris S. Pynoos Eye Research Laboratories at the University of California, Irvine, and the UCI Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics. Keratoconus corneas have high levels of oxidative damage including damaged mitochondrial DNA and increased formation of reactive oxygen species. This form of oxidative damage can contribute to the corneal thinning and apoptosis found in keratoconus. Dr. Kenney’s research may open new avenues for prevention, diagnosis and treatments of keratoconus. DEF-supported studies have defined an important gene involved in the familial form of keratoconus. Other genes are being screened to determine if they are associated with keratoconus. To learn more about current research, clinical trials and new treatments, visit our NKCF.org website. National Keratoconus Foundation |
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