Investigating early retinal damage in youth with diabetes
Official title: Diabetic Retinal Neurodegeneration in Youth Onset Diabetes
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11037340 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how diabetes affects the eyes of children and young adults, using special imaging to spot early signs of eye damage before any noticeable changes happen, so we can find ways to help protect their vision sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $155,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY036948-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037340 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and young adults aged 0-21 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those over the age of 21 may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding diabetic retinal neurodegeneration (DRN) in children and young adults with diabetes. By using advanced imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography (OCT), the study aims to identify early signs of retinal damage before visible vascular changes occur. The research involves a well-characterized cohort of youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as healthy controls, to compare retinal layer thickness and assess the impact of diabetes on retinal health. The findings could lead to earlier detection and intervention strategies for diabetic eye disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier diagnosis and treatment of diabetic eye disease in young patients, potentially preventing vision loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in adult populations, but this research aims to explore a relatively untested area in the pediatric demographic.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wolf, Risa Michelle — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Wolf, Risa Michelle
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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.