About the Initiative
The Anterior Segment Initiative (ASI), launched in 2019, aims to understand conditions of the eye's anterior (forward) segment, which includes the cornea, iris, ciliary body and lens.
Based on input from the research community, as well as several subsequent workshops and events, the initiative currently encompasses two major components: Understanding the neural circuitry of the anterior segment and its role in ocular pain and dry eye disease, and exploring the eye’s microbiome. ASI is supporting large, multidisciplinary teams taking novel approaches to studying these complex topics. The first of these consortia, devoted to neural circuitry and ocular pain, launched in October 2022.