Improving artificial vision for patients with retinal degeneration
Official title: Intraretinal stimulation for high acuity artificial vision
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11116930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to help people with vision loss from conditions like age-related macular degeneration see better by improving how artificial vision devices stimulate the eye, so they can recognize objects more clearly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $519,833 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035008-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11116930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with outer retinal degeneration, particularly those with age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact retinal function or those with conditions unrelated to outer retinal degeneration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the quality of artificial vision for patients suffering from outer retinal degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration. The team aims to develop innovative techniques for prosthetic electrical stimulation of inner retinal neurons, which could lead to improved spatial resolution and temporal control of visual responses. By addressing the limitations of current retinal prostheses, the research seeks to achieve a significant improvement in visual acuity, potentially allowing patients to see more clearly and recognize objects better. The approach includes both clinical and animal studies to test the effectiveness of these new technologies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with a much clearer and more functional sense of vision, significantly improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that while current retinal prostheses can provide some vision restoration, the proposed innovative approaches aim to significantly enhance the quality of artificial vision, making this a promising advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiland, James D. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Weiland, James D.
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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.