Stratifying Eye Pain Study
Stratifying Eye Pain Study
Study Identifier: HUM00256221
Principal Investigator: Lindsey B. De Lott MD, MS
Funding: NIH R01EY036357
Imagine living with constant eye burning, irritation, and aching—yet no treatment seems to help. This is the daily reality for millions of people suffering from Chronic Ocular Surface Pain (COSP). Affecting up to 10% of the U.S. population at some point in their lives, COSP takes a massive toll on quality of life and costs an estimated $55 billion annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
Traditional treatments focus on the eye’s surface, where the pain is felt, but for more than half of COSP sufferers, these therapies provide little or no relief. Why? We believe the answer lies not just in the eye itself, but in the brain. Our research suggests that for some patients, COSP isn’t just an eye disorder—it’s linked to how the brain processes pain, much like conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic bladder pain syndrome. In these conditions, the brain amplifies pain signals, even when there’s little physical damage. We see similar patterns in COSP.
Yet, no study has fully explored the link between COSP and these brain changes—until now. Our research will examine nearly 300 patients, using cutting-edge brain imaging and sensory testing to map out the role of the nervous system in eye pain.
What We’re Doing:
- Identifying different types of COSP through detailed patient evaluations.
- Using brain scans and sensory tests to pinpoint how pain is processed.
- Testing whether numbing eye drops truly stop the pain—or if the brain keeps it going.
This research has the potential to fundamentally change the way we diagnose and treat COSP. By proving that the brain plays a key role in chronic eye pain, we can open the door to new, brain-targeted treatments that go beyond eye drops—offering real relief to those who need it most.
