NIH-funded research Career grant

How nearsightedness may raise glaucoma risk in retinal cells and vessels

Official title: The Effect of Myopia on Retinal Ganglion Cells, Astrocytes and Vasculature, and its Relationsip to Glaucoma Susceptibility

Funded at Research Foundation for the State University of New York, the · NIH-11336318 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A clinician-scientist is studying how myopia changes eye cells and blood vessels to understand why nearsighted people are more at risk for glaucoma.

More Glaucoma research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionResearch Foundation for the State University of New York, the
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Albany, United States)
Project startFebruary 1, 2024
Project endJanuary 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$161,624
NIH project number5K08EY034545-03
Project IDNIH-11336318 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are individuals with myopia and early signs or risk factors for glaucoma who may benefit from future targeted interventions.

Less likely to help

People without myopia or glaucoma risk factors may have limited direct benefit from these findings.

What this research studies

Over four years, the researcher will combine clinical insight with cellular and electrophysiology techniques to explore how myopia affects retinal ganglion cells, astrocytes, and blood vessels and how these changes relate to glaucoma susceptibility. The program emphasizes translational training, mentorship, and independent research development in the field of myopic eye disease and glaucoma. The project leverages protected research time and aims to build skills that will help the trainee become an independent investigator focused on preventing vision loss in myopic patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could illuminate new mechanisms linking myopia to glaucoma risk and guide strategies to protect vision in people with myopia.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has established links between myopia and glaucoma risk, and this program seeks to deepen mechanistic understanding with translational approaches.

Where this research is happening

  • Research Foundation for the State University of New York, the
    Albany, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lin, Carol — Research Foundation for the State University of New York, the
  • Study coordinator: Lin, Carol

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Understanding how myopia and glaucoma are connected through eye mechanics

    This study looks at how eye growth in myopia may influence glaucoma risk and what markers could identify it early.

    NIH research State College of Optometry · New York, United States · NIH-11418938

  • Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma for High Myopia

    A study to improve early detection of open-angle glaucoma in people with high myopia using advanced eye imaging.

    NIH research University of California, San Diego · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11397407

  • Detecting glaucoma in people with high nearsightedness (high myopia)

    This project uses new three-dimensional eye imaging and analysis to find glaucoma earlier in people with high myopia.

    NIH research University of California, San Diego · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11179185

  • How myopia affects eye cells and its link to glaucoma risk

    This study is looking at how being nearsighted might affect the cells and blood vessels in your eyes, which could increase the chance of getting glaucoma, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how myopia can lead to changes in eye health.

    NIH research State College of Optometry · New York, United States · NIH-11010024

  • Exploring the link between myopia and glaucoma through cellular mechanisms

    This study is looking at how having myopia (nearsightedness) might raise the chances of getting glaucoma, a serious eye disease, and it aims to find ways to help protect your vision by tracking changes in your eyes over time.

    NIH research State College of Optometry · New York, United States · NIH-10872182

  • IOP and CSF Pressure in Glaucoma Risk

    This grant studies how eye pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure together influence glaucoma risk and vision loss.

    NIH research University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11644421

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.