Description

The line of research is aimed at the study of glaucoma and diseases of the anterior segment with ocular annexes and aims to protect the well-being and quality of life of patients through a reduction in visual impairment and associated blindness, through the study of the mechanisms underlying them, still largely unknown, and through the development of diagnostic-therapeutic tools and the optimization of care pathways. The laboratory researches diagnostic, predictive or therapeutic monitoring biomarkers, in support of future personalized therapies at the base of precision medicine.

Introduction

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of preventable blindness in the world. It involves progressive damage of the optic nerve in which high eye pressure, advanced age and familiarity are the major risk factors. The pathophysiology of increased eye pressure remains partly unknown. Increased resistance to outflow through sclerocorneal trabeculum plays a central role in increasing ocular pressure and is the subject of experimental studies aimed at finding pathological biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Keratoconus is a pathology of the cornea, affects both sexes, mostly men, and leads to a constant and progressive worsening of vision. The defect manifests itself when the central part of the cornea begins to thin and gradually bends outward. Such irregular curvature changes the refractive power of the cornea, producing a confused vision. Possible solutions are cross-linking and corneal transplantation.

Cataract is a progressive clouding of the lens of the eye, resulting in reduced vision and can be resolved surgically. Cataract surgery allows visual recovery, whereas the study of new methods for calculating the refractive target allows to improve the quality of life of the patient in the post-operative period.

Superficial and intraocular inflammatory processes have pathophysiological mechanisms still under study.

 

Rational

Deepen knowledge on glaucoma thanks to the study of the molecular bases responsible for the pathogenesis and progression of glaucomatous neurodegeneration, expand the perspectives in the diagnostic and therapeutic field (both medical and surgical) to obtain an increasingly early diagnosis and a targeted treatment for each patient, improve the care pathways of patients who refer from the territory to the specialized center.

The constant study makes it possible to formulate innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for anterior segment diseases. In cataract surgery, new approaches are being studied in the calculation of the refractive target, with the aim of improving the functional outcome and overall satisfaction of the patient. The optimization of lamellar cornea transplantation surgical procedures aims to improve functional outcome and reduce the risk of rejection.

The study of the mechanisms underlying ocular pathologies, from the ocular surface to the retinal compartment and the development of biomarker sampling and analysis devices have the objective to improve and increase the effectiveness of therapeutic diagnostic pathways, which are aimed at reducing socio-health costs.

 

Goals

Reduction of visual impairment and improvement of quality of life in patients suffering from glaucoma and anterior segment pathologies with ocular adnexa through early diagnosis and the most innovative therapeutic approaches. This objective is possible thanks to the constant updating of prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic tools and strategies.

Expected results

1) New knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying glaucoma and new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches whose main purpose is to maintain the quality of life of patients.

2) Update on new biometric techniques for calculating the power of standard and premium intraocular lenses and understanding of the mechanisms underlying therapeutic success.

3) New knowledge on the quality of vision in relation to the various techniques of lamellar corneal transplantation.

4) Study of ocular pathophysiology, from the networking of the ocular surface to the intraocular one, with identification of protein, molecular and cell signaling profiles of inflammation and cell remodeling.

5) Identification of biomolecular targets and gene variants, developed for multifunctional hybrid platforms, useful for precision medicine.