Cellular and structural changes in childhood nearsightedness
Novel correlations in cellular, molecular and structural alterations in experimental juvenile myopia
['FUNDING_R21'] · LEGACY EMANUEL HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTER · NIH-11178747
Researchers are linking tiny cell and nerve changes with eye imaging to better understand why children develop worsening nearsightedness.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | LEGACY EMANUEL HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Portland, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11178747 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses a tree shrew animal model to look for immune cell entry, myelin changes, and axonal damage around the optic nerve head in juvenile nearsightedness. The team will use lab techniques like immunohistochemistry and spatial protein profiling (Nanostring) to map microscopic changes. They will then compare those molecular findings with optical coherence tomography (OCT) images to see how small-scale damage lines up with tissue-level eye remodeling. The work aims to connect immune and nerve changes to the eye elongation that drives progressive nearsightedness in children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this is laboratory research in animals, the results would be most relevant to children and adolescents with progressive nearsightedness and their families.
Not a fit: People without nearsightedness or adults with stable, nonprogressive nearsightedness are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new targets or strategies to slow or prevent progressive nearsightedness and its long-term vision risks.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has linked scleral remodeling to eye elongation, but connecting immune cell infiltration and optic nerve myelin changes to myopia is relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Portland, UNITED STATES
- LEGACY EMANUEL HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTER — Portland, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CHAUDHARY, PRIYA — LEGACY EMANUEL HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTER
- Study coordinator: CHAUDHARY, PRIYA
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.