Better eye scans to find and track glaucoma

Novel Glaucoma Diagnostics for Structure and Function.

NIH-funded research Wills Eye Health System · NIH-11191463

Using advanced OCT image analysis and AI to spot glaucoma earlier and predict which patients are likely to get worse.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWills Eye Health System NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11191463 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will apply new signal and image-processing techniques to OCT eye scans to detect subtle structural and functional changes linked to glaucoma. They will develop methods to harmonize scans from different OCT machines so results are comparable across clinics. AI algorithms will be trained to identify early disease, monitor progression at different stages, and predict future vision loss. The goal is to create tools that work better for patients in very early or advanced stages where current tests are limited.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with glaucoma, those suspected of having glaucoma, or individuals at high risk who can undergo OCT eye imaging would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without OCT imaging data, those with vision loss from non-glaucoma causes, or those unable to access participating clinics may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could help doctors catch glaucoma sooner and more accurately track progression so treatment can better preserve vision.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work using OCT and AI has shown promise for glaucoma detection, but harmonizing data across devices and accurate stage-specific prediction remain less proven.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.