Novel artificial muscle–driven robotic eyes to study eye movement and strabismus
Official title: Study Coordinated Human Eye Movement and Strabismus using a Novel Artificial Muscle-Driven Robotic Eyes
Funded at George Mason University · NIH-11378088 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at George Mason University will use a robotic eye system driven by artificial muscles to mimic how real eyes move, with the goal of understanding and improving treatment for strabismus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Mason University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairfax, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $290,523 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB038710-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378088 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals affected by strabismus or other eye movement disorders seeking better treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without misalignment eye conditions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project creates robotic eyes that imitate human eye movement to study how eye muscles coordinate together. Researchers will build a computational model using geometric algebra to describe eye dynamics and develop a high-precision, fast-response physical system. The work aims to reveal new insights into why strabismus occurs and how best to control eye movements for better alignment. Findings could inform future therapies and surgical decisions for people with misaligned vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to improved understanding and treatment of strabismus, potentially improving alignment and visual comfort for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using imaging and modeling have advanced knowledge of eye movement, but this project adds a tangible robotic model to study dynamics more precisely.
Where this research is happening
-
George Mason University
Fairfax, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yao, Ningshi — George Mason University
- Study coordinator: Yao, Ningshi
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.