Personalized 3D cornea imaging and surgical planning
Advanced Imaging and Simulation Tools for Personalized Corneal Disease Assessment and Surgery
Using 3D imaging and computer simulations to improve diagnosis and surgical planning for people with keratoconus and other corneal conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128530 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a new 3D imaging method (optical coherence elastography, OCE) that measures how different parts of the cornea respond to pressure and motion. They will feed those patient-specific measurements into computer-based finite element models to create personalized simulations of corneal behavior. The team will compare normal eyes, eyes with keratoconus, and surgically altered eyes to identify biomechanical markers that flag early disease and guide treatment. Human testing at the Cleveland Clinic will validate the imaging and simulation tools against real patient data.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with keratoconus, suspected subclinical keratoconus, or those planning corneal or refractive surgery are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without corneal problems or whose vision loss is due to non-corneal conditions (for example retinal disease) are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable earlier, more accurate detection of keratoconus and safer, more personalized corneal surgeries.
How similar studies have performed: Early research using OCE and patient-specific corneal models is promising, but the combined 3D imaging plus validated simulation approach remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dupps, William Joseph — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Dupps, William Joseph
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.