Developing a device to restore vision for blind individuals
Official title: Functional analysis of an LGN-based visual prosthesis
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-10867260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device that could help restore vision for people who are blind, especially those with conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, by placing it in a part of the brain that might give them better sight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005959-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals over the age of 45 who are blind due to conditions like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not blind or have conditions that do not affect the visual pathways may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a visual prosthesis that aims to restore vision in individuals who are blind, particularly those affected by conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The approach involves implanting a device in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus, which is less affected by common causes of blindness, allowing for potentially higher visual acuity. The study seeks to address the significant impact of blindness on quality of life, including increased risks of depression and accidental falls. By targeting a different area of the brain, this research hopes to provide a viable treatment option for a broader range of blind patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for blind individuals by restoring their vision.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to restoring vision, this specific method targeting the LGN is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fried, Shelley — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Fried, Shelley
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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.