Research areas and methodologies

  • Pathologies of the cornea and ocular surface: the research activity aims at evaluating the physiological mechanisms of regulation of the homeostasis of the ocular surface, laying the immunological and etiopathogenetic foundations of various pathologies, in particular those that cause dry eye disease (pemphigoid scarring, Sjogren's Syndrome, Ocular Graft Versus Host Disease), ocular allergies and neurotrophic keratitis.
  • Our research group is known for having studied the effect of Nerve Growth Factor on the ocular surface leading to the development of a new drug approved for neurotrophic keratitis (cenegermin).
  • Another area of ​​study is conjunctival allergies and surface alterations related to male and female hormonal pathologies
  • Our study group, in collaboration with other international groups, has recently introduced the concept of Inflammaging (i.e. the dysfunction of immunological mechanisms that develops with advancing age)
  • Another area of ​​particular interest is the study of the neoangiogenic processes underlying the rejection of corneal transplants and tissue remodeling of the conjunctiva.
  • Particular attention is paid to the development of limbal stem cell transplant systems for the regeneration of the corneal epithelium 
  • In the clinical setting, the most innovative refractive treatments available for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are studied (excimer laser for PRK and LASIK, ICL). The most modern technologies are studied for cataract surgery (femtolaser, multifocal lenses) and corneal transplants.
  • Retina Pathologies: the research group studied the causes of age-related macular degeneration through the analysis of biomarkers and mediators present at the vitreous level, diabetic retinopathy in association with autonomic neuropathy and hypertensive retinopathy
  • A particular area of ​​clinical translational interest is represented by the development of innovative techniques in the surgery of macular pathologies.

Collaborations with other research centres

  • Harvard Medical School, Boston (USA)
  • University of California, San Diego (USA)
  • University of California, San Francisco (USA)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Bascom Palmer Institute, Miami (USA)
  • Moorfield Eye Hospital, London (Great Britain)
  • LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad (India)
  • Beirut Eye and Ear Hospital, Beirut (Lebanon)
  • Duke University, Durham (USA)
  • Juntendo University, Tokyo (Japan)
  • Hong Kong Medical School University, Hong Kong (China)
  • Tehran Institute of Medical Science, Tehran (Iran)
  • National Research Council (CNR), Rome
  • GB Bietti Foundation, Rome
  • Higher Institute of Health, Rome
  • The main field of activity of the laboratory concerns the study of the ocular surface: in particular, angiogenic processes, the ocular microbiome and tissue remodeling.
    Among the technological equipment: digital platform for reading microarrays on chip (GenePix), 7-color digital flow cytometer (Miltenyl), inverted confocal microscope with three Nikon lasers.
    Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), Rome

List of research projects in progress

  • Neurotrophic ulcer treated with topical Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
  • Ocular surface inflammaging
  • Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in the management of corneal fibrosis
  • Metabonomic analysis in cicatricial ocular pemphigoid
  • Retrospective study of acanthamoeba infection
  • Neuropeptides in diabetic neuropathy
  • Donor immunomodulation in high-risk corneal transplants
  • Ocular reflux: study of the effect of pharyngo-laryngeal reflux on the ocular surface
  • Multicenter study of surgical outcomes of macular pucker
  • Diagnostic vitrectomy: three ways versus one way
  • Macular pucker in uveitis: surgical outcomes

List of completed research projects

  • Biomarker analysis of the tear film in healthy patients
  • Study of the tear profile in the elderly
  • Role of T lymphocytes in corneal neoangiogenesis after transplantation
  • Long-term follow up of the cytokine profile of Graft Versus Host Disease
  • Role of sex hormones in patients with ocular surface metabolic syndrome
  • The effects of sex hormones on the ocular surface in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Chronic ocular allergic forms in adults
  • Retrospective study on lamellar macular holes

LABORATORIES

Ocular Surface Laboratory

The main field of activity of the laboratory concerns the study of the ocular surface: in particular, angiogenic processes, the ocular microbiome and tissue remodeling.

Among the technological equipment: digital platform for reading microarrays on chip (GenePix), 7-color digital flow cytometer (Miltenyl), inverted confocal microscope with three Nikon lasers.