How aging and diet affect eye health and vision loss
Official title: Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Epigenome Dysregulation With Aging and Modulation by Diet
Funded at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation · NIH-11041112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older and what we eat can affect a part of the eye called the retinal pigmented epithelium, which is important for our vision, especially in older adults who might be at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $536,749 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034946-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are at risk for age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without risk factors for age-related macular degeneration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of aging and dietary choices on the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), a crucial layer in the eye that can deteriorate with age, leading to vision loss. By examining the epigenetic changes in the RPE, the study aims to understand how these changes contribute to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that causes irreversible vision impairment. The researchers will analyze DNA modifications to create detailed maps that reveal how aging and diet influence RPE function. This knowledge could help develop new therapies to protect vision in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing vision loss in older adults by targeting dietary and epigenetic factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of diet and epigenetics in age-related conditions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freeman, Willard M — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Freeman, Willard M
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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.