Corneal Innervation Research at a Crossroads: A Tool-Driven Roadmap for the Future.

Area of Science:

• Neurobiology
• Ophthalmology
• Ocular Surface Research

Background:

• Corneal innervation research faces clinical challenges.
• Technological breakthroughs are making research tractable.
• Advances include single-cell analysis, viral vectors, AI, and imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• Address knowledge gaps in corneal-projecting neurons.
• Understand neuroimmune and epithelial interactions in the cornea.
• Translate animal findings to human pathology for ocular surface innervation.

Main Methods:

• Multi-institutional collaboration with a systematic roadmap.
• Integrates retrograde labeling, omics, animal models, and human clinical imaging.
• Phased approach: methodological standardization, technological convergence, and clinical translation.

Main Results:

• Integrated approaches uncover molecular mechanisms of functional outcomes.
• Technological convergence accelerates discovery in ocular surface circuitry.
• Establishes foundations for understanding physiological and pathophysiological contexts, including pain.

Conclusions:

• Coordinated research transforms isolated findings into mechanistic frameworks.
• Collaborative science and technological convergence are key to advancing discovery.
• Foundations laid for understanding ocular surface circuitry and developing therapies.