Ophthalmology

Dry Eye and Ocular GVHD

Dry Eye Disease (DED) is a significant public health problem. At least 14% of the U.S. population more than 50 years old have dry eyes. Chronic ocular graft-versus-host-disease (oGVHD) is an important complication of allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). Signs and symptoms of oGVHD mimic other immunologically mediated dry eye diseases (e.g., Sjogren syndrome) without effective treatment regimens available to date. The incidence of oGVHD after bone marrow transplant ranges from 38 to 50%.

In the Dry Eye and ocular GVHD Clinic, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to assess the severity and type of dry eye. We use customized treatments to treat dry eye and ocular GVHD. We have established a unique translational research program that makes feasible the discovery and development of novel treatments for Dry Eye and ocular GVHD. This program is comprised of a highly specialized ocular GVHD clinic for patient care, an advanced translational molecular biology laboratory for uncovering disease mechanisms, a dedicated clinical trial center for developing new therapies, and a highly motivated team who seamlessly connects these components. The clinical practice and basic laboratory research are highly integrated around the focus area of dry eye and ocular GVHD, which has allowed us to investigate the biological basis of clinical observations in dry eye and ocular GVHD.

To request an appointment, please call 312.996.EYES (3937)

Dry Eye and ocular GVHD Clinic Medical Team:

• Sandeep Jain, MD
• Ellen Shorter, OD, FAAO—Director, PROSE Clinic
• Christine Mun—Assistant Director, oGVHD Clinic
• Jessica Mun—Clinical Coordinator
• Annette Garcia—Clinical Coordinator
• Bayasaa Surenkhuu—Clinical Coordinator
• Diana Hernandez Castro—Clinical Coordinator

Dry Eye and ocular GVHD Clinic Surgical Team:

• Jose de la Cruz, MD
• Ahmad A. Aref, MD, MBA
• Van Ann Tran, MD

Multidisciplinary Collaborators:

• Nadera Sweiss, MD
• Damiano Rondelli, MD
• Pooja Bhat, MD

Location:

Illinois Eye and Ear
1855 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612

Dr. Sandeep Jain is a NIH-funded physician-scientist. He directs the Dry Eye & Ocular GVHD Clinic, Basic Science Laboratory, and Dry Eye Translational Clinic. Dr. Jain is a member of the International Chronic Ocular Graft-vs-Host-Disease Consensus Group and an invited member of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS). Dr. Jain’s exemplary academic, scientific and entrepreneurial achievements have been formally recognized by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with numerous awards. He has received ‘Inventor of the Year Award’ at UIC. In the past, Dr. Jain has received the ‘Departmental Faculty of the Year Award’ for his outstanding achievements and faculty contributions to the advancement of vision science. He was also awarded the Physician Scientist award from Research to Prevent Blindness and Achievement award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

UIC News Items Highlighting Dr. Jain's Work:

• UIC researcher awarded $10.15M to develop antibody-based dry eye treatment
• Immunotherapy for Dry Eye
• Enzyme-Based Treatment for Dry Eye
• Inventor of the Year Award
• Start-Ups Launched from UIC Research 

View Dr. Jain’s Academic Profile

In the Dry Eye and ocular GVHD Clinic, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to assess the severity and type of dry eye. These include: 

• Assessment of disease severity using symptom analysis tools
• Keratograph analysis of tear break-up time and ocular redness score
• Tear Osmolarity measurements
• LipiView imaging of meibomian glands and analysis of lipid layer thickness
• In-vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) of the cornea using Heidelberg HRT3RCM
• Corneal epithelial thickness measurement using Optovue Avanti Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
• Higher Order Aberration and Corneal topography measurement using iTrace System
• MMP-9 inflammatory protein detection in tear fluid using InflammaDry
• Slit lamp anterior segment photography
• Research tests are performed in Dr. Sandeep Jain’s laboratory. These include immunostaining of tear fluid cells, measurement tear fluid extracellular DNA, and analysis of chemokines/cytokines in the tear fluid.

We use customized treatments to treat dry eye and ocular GVHD.  In addition to standard treatments, these include:

• Compounded Preservative Free Methylprednisone eye drops
• Compounded Preservative Free pooled human immune globulin (IVIG) eye drops
• Preservative Free Serum Tears 50%
• Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF-Endoret)
• PROSE scleral contact lenses
• EyePrint Scleral Lens
• LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation Treatment
• Optima Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment

Ongoing Clinical Trials and Studies in Dry Eye and ocular GVHD

These clinical trials are funded by a National Institute of Health grant awarded to Dr. Sandeep Jain (NEIR24EY032440)

• A Phase I/II Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Single-Center, Tolerability and Preliminary Efficacy Clinical Trial of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Eye Drops In Patients with Dry Eye Disease:
  Protocol #2019-0263
• Biological Basis of Inflammation in Dry Eye Disease (DED)
  Protocol #2020-0083
• To investigate whether OSIG therapeutic targets (ACPAs and NETs) cause ocular surface disease directly or through an intermediary (inflammation) and to determine DED clinical features (signs, symptoms or biomarkers) that are significantly associated with OSIG targets (Aim C)
  Protocol #2020-1436
• Sleep Study of Dry Eye Disease (DED)
  Protocol #2020-0085
• Neurosensory Abnormalities in SymptomAtic Ocular Surface Patients (NASA)
  Protocol #2021-1233
• Retrospective Chart Review of Patients with Dry Eye Disease or Suspected Dry Eye Disease
  Protocol #2020-0690