Improving OCT Angiography to Find and Monitor Age-related Macular Degeneration
Official title: OCT Angiography for Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11123132 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops clearer OCT angiography scans and AI tools to find and track harmful blood-vessel changes in people with age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2014 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,119 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY024544-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123132 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, especially those with suspected or treated choroidal neovascularization (wet AMD) or at risk for advanced geographic atrophy, are the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AMD or with vision loss from unrelated eye conditions are unlikely to benefit from this specific work.
What this research studies
This work aims to make OCT angiography images clearer and use artificial intelligence to find and measure abnormal blood vessels and perfusion changes that matter in AMD. Researchers will use a high-speed swept-source OCT prototype, optimize scan sampling and image-processing algorithms, and refine OCTA computation to better visualize deep layers like the choriocapillaris and deep capillary plexus. They will combine improved images with new quantitative metrics and AI to detect non-exudative CNV and perfusion defects that signal higher risk of progression. Clinical patient data will be used to test these methods and see how well they predict vision loss or response to treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable earlier detection of dangerous blood-vessel changes and more precise monitoring to help preserve vision in people with AMD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior clinical work has shown OCTA and AI can detect CNV with good sensitivity and specificity, but extending this to deeper-layer imaging and early perfusion biomarkers is newer.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Yali — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Jia, Yali
Related research
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New high-resolution OCT biomarkers to map early AMD changes
A new imaging approach using advanced OCT methods will help doctors see early changes in age-related macular degeneration to guide treatment and improve quality of life for older adults.
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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.