Newborn eye imaging to find early signs of vision and brain development problems
Neonatal Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography to Assess the Effects of Postnatal Exposures on Retinal Development and Predict Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11128824
Using painless, non-invasive eye scans in newborns, researchers look for early retinal signs that might predict later vision problems and developmental delays.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11128824 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If your baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit, doctors will use a painless, non-invasive eye scan called OCT/OCTA to take detailed pictures of the retina. The team will compare images from preterm and term infants while recording postnatal exposures such as oxygen therapy and anti-VEGF injections. They will analyze the scans to find retinal features linked to needing ROP treatment shortly after birth and to vision and neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2–3 years. Participation may include follow-up visits in early childhood to check vision and development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are newborns—especially preterm infants—who are receiving care in a neonatal intensive care unit and may be at risk for retinopathy of prematurity.
Not a fit: Older children, adults, or healthy newborns not treated in a NICU are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify infants at high risk earlier so they can receive closer monitoring or earlier interventions to protect vision and development.
How similar studies have performed: Non-invasive OCT/OCTA has been used to image infant retinas and pilot work links some retinal features to outcomes, but using these scans to predict long-term neurodevelopment is still an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TSUI, IRENA — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: TSUI, IRENA
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia