Advanced OCT imaging to detect early retinal cell changes in macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases
OCT-based functional biomarkers for degenerative diseases of the photoreceptor-RPE-choroid neurovascular unit
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · NIH-11136954
Create a new, noninvasive OCT imaging test that measures how retinal cells respond to light for people with macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DAVIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11136954 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would have noninvasive retinal imaging with a new OCT-based device called optoretinography that measures how your retinal cells change when stimulated by light. The team is building a clinic-ready version of this device and testing its accuracy, sensitivity, and spatial detail. They will compare measurements from people with age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal diseases to healthy volunteers. The goal is to find functional signals that track disease progression or recovery and could be used in future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates include people with dry (atrophic) age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, or other inherited retinal degenerations, as well as healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss is caused by non-retinal problems (for example optic nerve disease or stroke) or who cannot undergo clear eye imaging (for example dense cataract) may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow earlier detection of vision changes and better tracking of treatment effects for AMD and inherited retinal degenerations.
How similar studies have performed: Small proof-of-concept optoretinography studies in healthy volunteers have shown promising signals, but applying a clinic-ready OCT version in patient groups is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
DAVIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS — DAVIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JONNAL, RAVI S. — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- Study coordinator: JONNAL, RAVI S.
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.