Measuring blood flow in the retina to identify early signs of glaucoma

Direct Measures of Retinal Blood Flow and Autoregulation as Robust Biomarkers for Early Glaucoma

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10888326

This study is looking at how blood flow in the eye changes early on in glaucoma, which could help us spot the condition before it causes serious vision problems, using special imaging techniques to get detailed measurements in real people's eyes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10888326 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how blood flow in the retina is affected in the early stages of glaucoma, a condition that can lead to vision loss. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to directly measure retinal blood flow and its regulation, which may provide early indicators of glaucoma before significant damage occurs. The researchers will employ erythrocyte mediated angiography flowmetry and multimodal adaptive optics to obtain precise measurements of blood flow at the capillary level in living human eyes. The goal is to establish a correlation between impaired blood flow regulation and the progression of glaucoma-related damage.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with early-stage primary open angle glaucoma.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced glaucoma or those who do not have any form of glaucoma may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and intervention for glaucoma, potentially preserving vision for many patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that direct measures of retinal blood flow can provide valuable insights into glaucoma, suggesting that this approach may yield significant findings.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.