Donald G. Puro, MD, PhD

Research Areas

• Cornea, Ocular Surface and Refractive Disorders

Research Summary

The most recent focus of my laboratory-based research is on the clinical problem of dry eye, which is an uncomfortable sight-impairing disorder afflicting tens of millions of Americans. Current treatment is far from optimal due to significant gaps in our knowledge of how the ocular surface responds to the abnormal physiologic changes associated with dry eye. In particular, although a high electrolyte to water imbalance (hyperosmolarity) characterizes the tear film of dry eye patients, the impact of this imbalance on cellular function is only poorly understood. My laboratory is exploring the role of transmembrane ion channels in mediating the adaptive response of the ocular surface to hyperosmolarity.  Even though ion channels are well known to be critically important in cellular function, their impact on the ability of the ocular surface to mount an effective adaptive response to dry eye is completely unexamined. Learning more about cellular mechanisms triggered when tear film osmolarity rises may reveal new pharmacological targets for treatment of dry eye.