Clerf Reports

Reports

Updates on our Grants

The Yale project for Rapid identification of microorganisms in corneal ulcers. As Dr. Bakhoum announced at our annual meeting they have succeeded in their goal.


“We have successfully developed and validated a rapid, non-invasive method to diagnose corneal ulcers (infections) by identifying the causative microorganisms directly from a patient’s tears, thereby eliminating the need for a surgical blade to scrape the cornea. Corneal ulcers present a global vision health challenge, contributing to an estimated 1.5 to 2 million cases of unilateral blindness each year. In the United States alone, approximately 91,000 individuals suffer from corneal ulcers annually. When diagnosis is delayed or inaccurate, these infections can lead to corneal scarring and even permanent vision loss. Instead of waiting days for culture results and using invasive procedures, our approach harnesses cutting-edge technology, mainly digital droplet PCR and portable sequencing, to identify bacterial pathogens within just a few hours. From a single microliter of tears, this method empowers clinicians to initiate the most effective, targeted antimicrobial therapy immediately, minimizing reliance on broad-spectrum treatments and avoiding unnecessary side effects. By providing a safer, faster, and more accurate diagnostic tool, we aim not only to improve patient care but also to make accessible and precise eye infection diagnostics available worldwide, ultimately protecting vision and enhancing the quality of life for millions of patients.”