Improving retinal imaging for infants and children

Auto-aligning hand-held OCT and OCTA for pediatric applications

['FUNDING_R21'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-10951602

This study is working on a new, easy-to-use hand-held device that takes clear pictures of the eyes in babies and kids, making it less stressful for them during check-ups and helping doctors better diagnose and monitor eye conditions like retinopathy of prematurity.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10951602 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new hand-held device that uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) to provide high-quality imaging of the retina in infants and children. The goal is to create a system that is easy to use and reduces stress during examinations, which is crucial for young patients who may struggle with traditional methods. By enhancing the alignment and efficiency of the imaging process, this project aims to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of retinal diseases like retinopathy of prematurity. The approach involves innovative technology that has the potential to make retinal imaging more accessible and effective for pediatric patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants and children under the age of 11 who require retinal imaging for conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those without retinal diseases may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to less stressful and more accurate retinal diagnostics for infants and children, potentially improving outcomes for those with retinal diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using hand-held OCT devices for pediatric applications, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

DURHAM, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.