# Cornea ## expand\_more ![HMS Ophthalmology Center of Excellence](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/eye/files/shield_0.png?itok=EkJmwAOl) **Center of Excellence** ![Cornea](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/eye/files/new_cornea_banner.png?itok=6A8leTIs) Sort**Co-Directors** [Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH](/rezadana) [Ula V. Jurkunas, MD](/ulajurkunas) **Members** [See a list of Cornea COE faculty](/faculty/cornea) The Cornea Center of Excellence brings together one of the world’s largest group of scientists and physicians to advance our understanding of corneal biology, develop treatments for corneal conditions, and improve access to sight-saving treatments. They developed the Boston keratoprosthesis—the most widely used artificial corneal transplant in the world—and have improved our understanding and management of corneal transplantation rejection, viral corneal disease, dry eye disease, stem cell-based therapies, regenerative approaches to corneal diseases, novel drug therapies for corneal neovascularization, and innovative imaging of the ocular surface. The cornea is the eye's most powerful structure for focusing light. It also protects the rest of the eye from injuries and microbial pathogens. However, the cornea itself is susceptible to infections, inflammation, injuries, and genetic conditions that can disrupt corneal function and cause vision loss. According to the World Health Organization, corneal blindness is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, and alleviating this global burden is dependent not only on elucidating disease mechanisms and improving therapeutic approaches, but also on increasing access to ophthalmic care. ## Major Research Breakthroughs In the last 20 years, our faculty have spearheaded many new innovations and advances in the field. Notably, they have: - Identified molecular clues, including the role of oxidative stress, in the pathogenesis of Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy - Identified the molecular and cellular immune basis of dry eye disease, including the role of interleukin-17 - Developed and optimized drug-eluting contact lenses - Developed the “Lucia,” a novel corneal prosthesis, to help combat global corneal blindness - Received FDA approval for novel method of cultivating corneal stem cells for ocular surface reconstruction ## 2020 Vision: Promising Areas for Future Research Investigators are working to further advance corneal regeneration by developing novel biomaterial and cell-based regenerative therapies as well as advance fields in corneal transplantation and cytoprotection. ## Biennial Cornea Research Conference The Biennial Cornea Conference, first occurring in 1962, is the premier global anterior segment of the eye research conference and is designed to be a platform for presenting the current basic and clinical research in the field of cornea and ocular surface. The two-day event draws top corneal researchers from around the globe. ## Recent Cornea News - [Ultraviolet Light Exposure Identified as Factor Linked to Eye Disease Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/ultraviolet-light-exposure-identified-as-factor-linked-to-eye-disease-fuchs-endothelial-corneal-dystrophy/) - [Breakthrough Drug-Eluting Lens Provides Sustained Drug Delivery in Preclinical Model](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/breakthrough-drug-eluting-lens-provides-sustained-drug-delivery-in-preclinical-model/) - [Researchers Experimenting with Revolutionary Drug-implanted Contact Lenses](https://www.boston25news.com/news/researchers-experimenting-with-revolutionary-drug-implanted-contact-lenses/990798688/) [View more news stories](https://prod-eye.drupalsites.harvard.edu/news?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_category1%3A65296) ## Recent Publications Download 4 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=4&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36006&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=4&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36006&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=4&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36006&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=4&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36006&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=4&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36006&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=4&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36006&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=4&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36006&&&format=ris) ### 2024 Weiss J, Rapuano C, Seitz B, Busin M, Kivelä T, Bouheraoua N, Bredrup C, Nischal K, Chawla H, Borderie V, Kenyon K, Kim EK, Møller HU, Munier F, Berger T, Lisch W. [IC3D Classification of Corneal Dystrophies-Edition 3](/publications/ic3d-classification-corneal-dystrophies-edition-3). Cornea. 2024;43(4):466–527. PMID: 38359414 Weiss J, Rapuano C, Seitz B, Busin M, Kivelä T, Bouheraoua N, Bredrup C, Nischal K, Chawla H, Borderie V, Kenyon K, Kim EK, Møller HU, Munier F, Berger T, Lisch W. [IC3D Classification of Corneal Dystrophies-Edition 3](/publications/ic3d-classification-corneal-dystrophies-edition-3). Cornea. 2024;43(4):466–527. PMID: 38359414 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract PURPOSE: The International Committee for the Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) was created in 2005 to develop a new classification system integrating current information on phenotype, histopathology, and genetic analysis. This update is the... Altamirano-Lamarque F, Oke I. [Comment on "Prevalence and Economic Burden of Keratoconus in the United States"](/publications/comment-prevalence-and-economic-burden-keratoconus-united-states). Am J Ophthalmol. 2024;260:212. PMID: 38309453 Altamirano-Lamarque F, Oke I. [Comment on "Prevalence and Economic Burden of Keratoconus in the United States"](/publications/comment-prevalence-and-economic-burden-keratoconus-united-states). Am J Ophthalmol. 2024;260:212. PMID: 38309453 Androudi S, Kaufman A, Kouvalakis A, Mitsios A, Sapounas S, Al-Khatib D, Schibler M, Pineda R, Baglivo E. [Non-Healing Corneal Ulcer and Uveitis Following Monkeypox Disease: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges](/publications/non-healing-corneal-ulcer-and-uveitis-following-monkeypox-disease-diagnostic-and). Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2024;32(3):253–258. PMID: 37140328 Androudi S, Kaufman A, Kouvalakis A, Mitsios A, Sapounas S, Al-Khatib D, Schibler M, Pineda R, Baglivo E. [Non-Healing Corneal Ulcer and Uveitis Following Monkeypox Disease: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges](/publications/non-healing-corneal-ulcer-and-uveitis-following-monkeypox-disease-diagnostic-and). Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2024;32(3):253–258. PMID: 37140328 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract PURPOSE: The ocular manifestations of Monkeypox virus (Mpox) infection remain incompletely characterized. Our goal is to present a case series of non-healing corneal ulcers with associated uveitis caused by Mpox infection as well as management... Price M, Marzidovsek ZL, Price F, Dana R. [Innate Immune Cytokine Levels in Eyes With Late Endothelial Keratoplasty Failure](/publications/innate-immune-cytokine-levels-eyes-late-endothelial-keratoplasty-failure). Cornea. 2024;43(4):432–436. PMID: 37326957 Price M, Marzidovsek ZL, Price F, Dana R. [Innate Immune Cytokine Levels in Eyes With Late Endothelial Keratoplasty Failure](/publications/innate-immune-cytokine-levels-eyes-late-endothelial-keratoplasty-failure). Cornea. 2024;43(4):432–436. PMID: 37326957 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare aqueous humor cytokine levels in eyes with an initial endothelial keratoplasty (EK) that cleared and later decompensated versus control eyes. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, aqueous humor... [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/publications) ## Recent News [### Eyes On: Kathleen Thai, OD ](/news/2026/05/eyes-kathleen-thai-od) May 05, 2026 [### Cornea Center of Excellence Hosts Cell Therapy Workshop ](/news/2025/10/cornea-center-excellence-hosts-cell-therapy-workshop) October 07, 2025 [### Mass Eye and Ear Researchers Win 2025 Gizmodo Science Fair ](/news/2025/10/mass-eye-and-ear-researchers-win-2025-gizmodo-science-fair) October 07, 2025 [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](https://prod-eye.drupalsites.harvard.edu/news?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_category1%3A65296)