How the aging lens affects vision and what we can do about it
Official title: Age related changes in lens transport and cataract
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11524445 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how aging changes lens water and ion balance to cause cataracts and presbyopia, with the goal of better preserving vision for aging adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2016 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $134,999 |
| NIH project number | 3R01EY026911-10S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11524445 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults experiencing age-related vision changes or those at risk of cataracts, who could participate through future therapies or imaging approaches.
✕Less likely to help
This study uses animal models and basic biology; participants may not directly benefit from the findings in the short term.
What this research studies
As a patient, you would be part of a project that looks at how the lens stays clear and focused as we age. Researchers will study mouse lenses to map which genes and transport processes affect water flow and lens clarity, using advanced imaging and gene sequencing. The study aims to link changes in how the lens handles water and ions to the way vision changes over time. Findings could point toward new ways to prevent or delay cataracts and age-related vision loss. The focus is on understanding the biology of the eye to protect vision in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer understanding of why the lens becomes cloudy with age could lead to strategies to prevent or delay cataracts and presbyopia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that lens transport and hydration are linked to clarity, with translational potential though still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, Thomas W — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: White, Thomas W
Related research
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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.