Tracking early atrophic changes in age-related macular degeneration
Official title: Progression of Early Atrophic Lesions in Age-related Macular degeneration
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11117094 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows people with early atrophic (dry) AMD using detailed eye imaging and vision tests to see who is most likely to lose vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $327,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034965-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11117094 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with early atrophic (dry) age-related macular degeneration who can attend regular visits at the study center are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced geographic atrophy, active wet (neovascular) AMD, or unrelated eye diseases may not receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will follow people with early atrophic AMD over several years using high-resolution retinal imaging, detailed vision tests, and vision-related quality-of-life questionnaires. They will combine standardized and exploratory analysis methods to measure tiny tissue changes and link those changes to vision and daily functioning. The team aims to identify which eyes and people progress faster and which risk factors predict that decline. That information is intended to help match future treatments to the right patients at the right stage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify patients at highest risk for vision loss and guide interventions to prevent progression.
How similar studies have gone: While other imaging and natural-history studies exist, focusing prospectively on early atrophic lesions with this comprehensive multimodal approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmitz-Valckenberg, Steffen — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Schmitz-Valckenberg, Steffen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Active cycling program to support vision and daily living in Veterans with AMD
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Transplanting stem-cell–derived retinal cells to treat dry AMD
A medical team is testing a stem cell therapy to replace damaged retinal cells in adults with dry age-related macular degeneration.
-
RPESC-derived RPE Transplant for Dry AMD in adults
A new cell-based therapy derived from RPESCs is being tested to help adults with dry age-related macular degeneration regain vision.
-
New high-resolution OCT biomarkers to map early AMD changes
A new imaging approach using advanced OCT methods will help doctors see early changes in age-related macular degeneration to guide treatment and improve quality of life for older adults.
-
Targeting inflammation in age-related macular degeneration
Aims to understand how inflammation drives age-related macular degeneration in people and explore new targets to slow or stop vision loss.
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.