Re­search on the an­te­ri­or seg­ment of the eye, FHNW School of Engineering and Environment

Dry eye disease can significantly reduce quality of life and has a high prevalence in our society. Our research in this area focuses on assessing tear film quality in relation to different treatment options.

The pain-sensitive superficial nerve endings in the cornea are responsible for basal tear secretion and are therefore considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease. Measuring corneal sensitivity can be very useful in the following situations: refractive surgery, after keratoplasty, in corneal dystrophies and degenerations, in peripheral neuropathy (e.g. diabetes), and during contact lens wear. We are developing a new concept for measuring corneal sensitivity, as there is currently no commercial device available for routine clinical use.

In the field of contact lens fitting, we investigate visual comfort during contact lens wear and the development and evaluation of back surface geometries for special contact lens applications. Past projects include the development of a corneal inlay and a contact lens for measuring intraocular pressure. We are also interested in the ingredients of contact lens care products and their interactions with the contact lens and the tear film.

The cornea as an optically refractive medium plays a major role in refractive surgery and requires precise calculation of both its anterior and posterior surfaces. To optimize and validate these algorithms for regular and irregular corneal shapes, we are involved in a project with other research partners.