Advanced 3-D eye blood-flow imaging to understand glaucoma progression
OCTA and Glaucoma Progression in the Non-Human Primate
Researchers are using detailed 3-D scans of eye blood flow in primate models to find vessel changes that could help detect and predict glaucoma in 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 ID | NIH-11094749 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to create three-dimensional images of retinal blood flow in non-human primate eyes that mimic human glaucoma. They will compare eyes that lose retinal nerve fibers quickly to eyes that are more resistant, focusing on vascular volume and how perfusion changes with eye pressure. The work looks for vascular changes that occur before retinal ganglion cell loss and measurable vision decline. Results aim to point toward new imaging markers that could be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma who are interested in new imaging approaches could be candidates for follow-up human studies based on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients without glaucoma or those needing immediate treatment changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical imaging research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal early blood-vessel or perfusion changes that enable earlier detection or risk stratification for glaucoma before vision is lost.
How similar studies have performed: Previous OCTA studies have shown reduced vessel density in glaucoma, but applying 3-D OCTA longitudinally in primate models to identify early vascular predictors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Nimesh Bhikhu — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Patel, Nimesh Bhikhu
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 below.