Anterior Eye
The anterior section of the eye provides protection from external influences while providing around two-thirds of the refractive power of the eye. Any disturbance caused by acute or chronic conditions (for example, dry eye disease or corneal abnormalities, such as keratoconus) may result in loss of structural integrity, and reduction in quality of vision. This may predispose the eye to infection and potentially permanent visual impairment.
The Anterior Eye research group at Glasgow Caledonian University conducts research on the causes, the diagnosis, as well as the treatment of factors that could impair the function of the tear film, the cornea and the conjunctiva. Projects include clinical trials of new treatment modalities for dry eye, the analysis of tear fluid inflammatory proteins and investigations on corneal and conjunctival structural properties.
Our work is designed to deliver real impact by advancing eye care through developing novel strategies to detect and treat anterior eye problems including the morphology of the endothelium in health and disease.
Our research is supported by funding from the Carnegie Trust, the Visual Research Trust, Fight For Sight and The Royal College of Surgeons, as well as from international pharmaceutical companies, including Allergan and Pfizer.
Current topics of interest in the anterior eye include:
- Corneal and conjunctival anatomy and metabolism
- Corneal topography and sensitivity
- Normal and abnormal tear film physiology
- Protein profiling of tear fluids from dry eye patients and in diabetes
- Physiological impact of contact lenses
- Clinical assessment of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals
- Basic In vitro models of dry eye (conjunctival epithelial cell cultures)
- Mechanisms of corneal infection
- Refractive surgery and visual performance
- Physiological effects of ophthalmic materials
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