High-resolution molecular imaging of the retina
Official title: In vivo Imaging of the Human Retina at the Molecular Level
Funded at Doheny Eye Institute · NIH-11290385 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new high-resolution eye imaging method that looks at tiny molecular signals in the retina to spot early changes linked to aging and macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Doheny Eye Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $515,680 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY032994-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290385 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with age-related macular degeneration, other retinal disorders, or age-related vision changes who can travel to the imaging center and tolerate retinal imaging are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot sit still for eye imaging, have active eye infections, very small pupils that cannot be dilated, or are medically unable to travel to Pasadena may not benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
This project combines fluorescence lifetime imaging (which measures how long natural eye molecules glow) with adaptive optics to create cellular-level pictures of the retina. The team will build an AO-enhanced FLIO system on an AOSLO platform to achieve roughly 2 μm lateral resolution over a substantially larger field than current instruments. They will add advanced image-processing to separate overlapping color and lifetime signals and map metabolic and oxidative changes in retinal layers and the retinal pigment epithelium. The instrument will be tested and refined on human eyes to produce repeatable molecular maps that could guide future diagnostics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could allow earlier and more precise detection of metabolic changes in the retina, improving diagnosis and monitoring of age-related macular degeneration and other retinal conditions.
How similar studies have gone: FLIO and AOSLO have each shown promise in retinal imaging, but combining adaptive optics with fluorescence lifetime imaging at cellular resolution is a novel advancement.
Where this research is happening
-
Doheny Eye Institute
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sadda, Srinivas R — Doheny Eye Institute
- Study coordinator: Sadda, Srinivas R
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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.