Improving Vision for Veterans with Macular Degeneration
Official title: Development of New Approaches to Rehabilitating Vision Loss in Veterans With Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Funded at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center · NIH-11144249 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores new ways to help Veterans with age-related macular degeneration regain some vision by teaching their brains to use touch more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004099-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144249 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be Veterans experiencing vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without age-related macular degeneration or those whose vision loss is not related to the brain's ability to integrate sensory information may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Our brains are amazing at finding ways to make up for what's missing, like when vision is impaired. This project looks at how the brain can use information from other senses, such as touch, to fill in the gaps. We want to see if we can use these natural brain abilities to create better rehabilitation methods for Veterans who have lost vision due to age-related macular degeneration. The goal is to help the brain connect what it sees (or doesn't see) with what it feels, making it easier to understand the world around them.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective therapies that help visually impaired Veterans improve their ability to navigate and interact with their environment.
How similar studies have gone: Recent research has provided new insights into how the brain compensates for sensory impairment, and this project aims to build upon those findings to develop novel rehabilitative approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hegde, Jay — Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hegde, Jay
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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AI-powered tool to predict 2-year risk of late AMD
A new AI software helps people at risk of age-related macular degeneration understand their 2-year risk and what steps could protect their vision.
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Active cycling program to support vision and daily living in Veterans with AMD
A 6-month online group spin cycling program is tested to help Veterans with age-related macular degeneration maintain vision and improve daily functioning.
-
Transplanting stem-cell–derived retinal cells to treat dry AMD
A medical team is testing a stem cell therapy to replace damaged retinal cells in adults with dry age-related macular degeneration.
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RPESC-derived RPE Transplant for Dry AMD in adults
A new cell-based therapy derived from RPESCs is being tested to help adults with dry age-related macular degeneration regain vision.
-
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.
-
Targeting inflammation in age-related macular degeneration
Aims to understand how inflammation drives age-related macular degeneration in people and explore new targets to slow or stop vision loss.
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.