Innovation Series: What a noninvasive eye drop approach may mean for the future of keratoconus

Ehsan Sadri, MD, FACS, of Visionary Eye Institute in Newport Beach, California, sat down with Professor Emeritus Colin R. Green, PhD, DSc, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, in Auckland, New Zealand, to learn more about a novel therapy in development for the treatment of keratoconus and other corneal ectasias.

Green outlines the status of the research, involving a unique combination of transforming growth factor beta-3 and dexamethasone, and the setup for a proof-of-concept study (via TheiaNova, a spin-out early-stage company of the University of Auckland).

Green also offers career advice for vision scientists and entrepreneurs, advising that making the transition from basic research to research translation is challenging and that having an application in mind is crucial. He emphasizes the importance of persevering through the highs and lows of research and development, highlighting the long-term benefits and sense of achievement.