Controlled Release Eye Drops

In an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Steve Little, Dr. Ian Conner, and Dr. Joel Schuman, our group has developed a novel, semi-permanent eye drop platform that can sustain the delivery of ocular drugs for days or weeks from a single, patient-administered dose. This non-invasive, patent-pending method is being validated for use in glaucoma and ocular infection, thanks to the Charles T. Campbell Eye Microbiology Lab.

Ophthalmic Biomaterials for Ocular Trauma

The utility of synthetic materials for treating eye diseases goes beyond drug delivery. The material itself can be used to support and protect injured eyes during the most critical early moments where the risk for vision loss is greatest. The DiLeo Lab, in collaboration with Dr. Jenny Yu, is currently developing a gel bandage that can be administered at the point of injury and provide sustained release of anti-inflammatory drugs. Our goal is to build a framework for ocular first aid that currently does not exist.

Orphan Drug Delivery to the Eye

The world-class clinical faculty at the Department of Ophthalmology are heavily involved in the inception and success of new research projects. One example is a collaboration with Dr. Ken Nischal funded by the Cystinosis Research Foundation. Our goal is to develop alternative treatment for corneal cystinosis and build a platform that can potentially be used to treat other vision-threatening diseases of the cornea that traditional drug administration cannot treat.

Publications

NCBI My Bibliography for Dr. DiLeo

Funding

National Institutes of Health--NEI and NHLBI
Cystinosis Research Foundation
Research to Prevent Blindness
Eye and Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh--Center for Medical Innovation, Innovation Institute, and Chancellor's Office