Melinda Alviar

Melinda Alviar

Auto-generated profile, based on publicly available information

Melinda Alviar


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 November 2025 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HNHanieh Niktinat
Hanieh Niktinat
MAMelinda Alviar
Melinda Alviar
MKMarziyeh Kashani
Marziyeh Kashani
HMHamed Massoumi
Hamed Massoumi
ADAli Djalilian
Ali Djalilian
EJElmira Jalilian
Elmira Jalilian
Corneal nerves play a crucial role in maintaining ocular surface homeostasis by supporting the functional integrity of corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells; modulating tear secretion; and facilitating sensory responses essential for overall ocular health. With advancing age, these highly specialized peripheral sensory fibers undergo progressive attrition and morphologic distortion driven by the canonical hallmarks of aging including genomic instability, impaired proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation. The resulting neuro-immune dysregulation reduces trophic support, delays wound healing, and predisposes older adults to dry-eye disease, neurotrophic keratopathy, and postsurgical hypoesthesia. Age-exacerbating cofactors including diabetes, dyslipidemia, neurodegenerative disorders, topical preservatives, chronic contact-lens wear, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and ocular-surface hypoxia further accelerate sub-basal nerve rarefaction and functional decline. This review provides an overview of age-related physiological alterations in ocular surface nerves, with a particular emphasis on corneal innervation. It also discusses risk factors that speed up these changes. Given the inherently limited regenerative capacity of corneal nerves and their inability to fully restore to baseline conditions following injury or degeneration, it is critical to identify and develop effective strategies aimed at mitigating or delaying physiological nerve degeneration and promoting nerve regeneration. This review also brings up emerging therapeutic strategies, including regenerative medicine, neuroprotective agents, and lifestyle interventions aimed at mitigating age-related corneal nerve degeneration.