A new method to measure the elasticity of the cornea without touching the eye
Official title: No-Touch High Resolution Optical Coherence Elastography of the Cornea using a Heartbeat
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-10899731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new, gentle way to check how flexible the cornea is, which can help doctors better understand eye conditions like myopia and keratoconus, and it involves testing this method on both animals and people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $549,599 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033978-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with corneal diseases or those undergoing procedures that may affect corneal health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable corneal conditions who do not require further diagnostic evaluation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel technique called heartbeat optical coherence elastography (hbOCE) to measure the mechanical properties of the cornea non-invasively. By using this method, researchers aim to accurately assess corneal elasticity, which can be affected by various eye diseases such as myopia and keratoconus. The study involves developing a high-speed system for measuring corneal deformation and testing it in both animal models and human subjects. This approach could enhance the understanding of corneal health and improve diagnostic capabilities in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools for detecting corneal diseases and improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach is innovative, similar non-invasive techniques have shown promise in other areas of ocular diagnostics, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larin, Kirill V — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Larin, Kirill V
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.