TOPIC
Ocular Surface Immune Response and Corneal Nerves in Dry Eye Disease
SPEAKER
Soumen Sadhu, B.Optom, M.Optom, FAAO, AFHEA
PhD Candidate,
University of New South Wales
This presentation will explore the immune-mediated mechanisms of dry eye disease. The role of innate and adaptive immune responses and tear cytokines in DED. Observation of immune cells and corneal sensory nerves using in vivo confocal microscopy in health and disease. During discussing corneal nerves, the presentation will also talk about corneal nerves in neuropathic ocular pain and how to differentiate them from dry eye disease. The therapeutic potential of immunomodulators such as cyclosporine A, will also be discussed.
Join us
Sunday, July 6th 2025
10:30 AM (BST), 3:00 PM (IST), 7:30 PM (AEST)
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SPEAKER BIO
Soumen Sadhu is a clinical researcher specializing in ocular surface disease, with a focus on targeted immunomodulatory therapies for dry eye disease (DED). Currently pursuing his PhD at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia. Soumen’s research integrates clinical expertise with advanced imaging and immune profiling techniques. His work has led to the first location-specific mapping of corneal immune responses in DED and has demonstrated that Sjögren’s patients exhibit significantly heightened corneal immune activity.
He completed his Master of Optometry from The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, affiliated with The Sankara Nethralaya Academy, Medical Research Foundation, India.
Soumen has published 10 peer-reviewed articles (five as first author), presented at 11 international conferences, and received multiple travel and research awards. He holds an H-index of 4 and a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 1.9. In 2021, he became one of the youngest Indian researchers to be elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).
He currently leads an investigator-initiated clinical trial (NCT06898853) under Professors Fiona Stapleton and Isabelle Jalbert, exploring the immunological impact of topical cyclosporine A in inflammatory DED. His study employs Functional in vivo confocal microscopy (Fun-IVCM), flow cytometry, and tear cytokine analysis to capture a comprehensive immune cell profile.
With five years of clinical experience and over 3,000 patient evaluations, Soumen has also contributed to developing refraction protocols for keratoprosthesis patients and led the creation of an ocular surface data portal. His earlier work during the COVID-19 pandemic and studies on Sjögren’s syndrome and biological therapy in uveitis have received high impact and citations.
Soumen aspires to pursue postdoctoral research in the U.S., focusing on biomarker discovery and drug development for treatment-resistant DED. He is committed to advancing translational science, securing independent research funding, and mentoring future clinician-scientists.