Ocular Diseases: Prediction, Prevention and Basic Research

In this talk I will outline the major projects undertaken to deal with some of the ocular diseases of importance to India. We use multiomics approach to examine human diseases. Understanding the immune defense against infections as well as resolution of overt immune response leading to tissue destruction is the focus of the keratitis research programme. We have demonstrated isolate specific variation in virulence using multiple clinical isolates. Tear Complement Factor H has been shown to be a good predictor of the outcome of infection in mycotic keratitis patients. Genetic and genome analysis of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, Macular Corneal Dystrophy and Pseudo Exfoliation Syndrome led to the identification of new genes that have significant role in these disorders. In the case of Retinoblastoma a panel of mutations in RB1 gene was identified for genetic testing.   In Diabetic Retinopathy a set of proteins, which are promising candidates to identify the progression of disease, is being validated. We have also developed ways to enrich limbal epithelial stem cells for basic studies as well as clinical use.