Outdoor air pollution and retinal health
Modeling the effect of outdoor air pollution on the health and function of the retina
['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11140964
This project looks at whether tiny airborne particles from outdoor pollution (PM2.5) can harm the retina and contribute to age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CORAL GABLES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11140964 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, this work uses specially designed animal housing that exposes whole animals to controlled levels of PM2.5 to mimic real-world outdoor air pollution. Researchers will examine the retina for signs of oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and structural changes linked to aging and AMD-like risk factors. The team aims to create reproducible animal models of pollution-related retinal damage so that cause-and-effect mechanisms and potential protective responses can be studied. Findings will guide future tests of treatments or preventive strategies for pollution-related eye disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at risk for age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma, especially older adults living in areas with high outdoor air pollution, are the patient groups most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments or those with eye problems unrelated to retinal disease (for example, simple refractive errors) are unlikely to benefit directly from this animal-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how air pollution damages the retina and point to ways to prevent or treat pollution-related retinal disease.
How similar studies have performed: Epidemiological studies have linked PM2.5 exposure to increased AMD and glaucoma risk, but mechanistic animal models and direct molecular evidence remain limited, so this approach builds on suggestive human data with novel preclinical modeling.
Where this research is happening
CORAL GABLES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE — CORAL GABLES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HACKAM, ABIGAIL S — UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: HACKAM, ABIGAIL S
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.