Early eye blood-vessel changes seen with OCTA that signal serious diabetic eye disease
Official title: OCTA Precursors of Vision-Threatening Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11312661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using a high-resolution eye scan called OCTA, researchers will look for early blood-vessel changes that predict serious diabetic eye problems in people with diabetic retinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $626,898 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035410-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11312661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who have signs of diabetic retinopathy or who are undergoing retinal imaging are the most likely candidates for participation.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or without any signs of diabetic retinopathy would not be expected to benefit from this project.
What this research studies
You would receive a detailed OCTA eye scan that images blood vessels across a wide area of the retina. The team will improve the imaging hardware and build automated software to reliably find and measure small vessel changes linked to worsening diabetic eye disease. They will compare these OCTA biomarkers to current photo-based screening to see if they more precisely identify people who later develop proliferative diabetic retinopathy or center-involved diabetic macular edema. The goal is to make the scans practical for clinics so doctors can catch dangerous changes earlier.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could detect vision-threatening diabetic eye problems earlier and more accurately, reducing unnecessary referrals and focusing treatment on those most at risk.
How similar studies have gone: Smaller studies have suggested OCTA can reveal early vessel changes, but wide-field, high-resolution imaging and automated analysis are newer and need further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Yali — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Jia, Yali
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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.