How Visual Light Affects Eye Wiring in Nearsightedness
Official title: Influence of visual input on neuronal signaling in myopia
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11364913 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how what we see and the light around us influence the brain signals that control myopia in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $391,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY037296-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364913 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with myopia or those at high risk, especially children and young adults.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without myopia or with non-visual eye conditions may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a family member has myopia, this project explores how visual input and different lighting environments impact the eye’s signaling pathways. The researchers will study ON and OFF pathways in the retina and how ambient light levels might change myopia development. By using human-relevant models and measurements, they aim to uncover how indoor versus outdoor lighting could steer disease progression. The findings could point to new, practical strategies to help slow myopia in people at risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new ways to prevent or slow myopia by adjusting lighting and visual environments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that retinal pathways and lighting influence eye growth, but this project seeks to clarify the balance of ON/OFF signaling across light levels.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mazade, Reece — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Mazade, Reece
Related research
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PICNIC: Factors inside the eye linked to childhood near-sightedness
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Peripheral vision factors behind kids’ nearsightedness
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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.