Understanding and Treating Vision Loss
Official title: Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss
Funded at Iowa City VA Medical Center · NIH-11016910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This effort at the Iowa City VA helps find and treat eye and nervous system problems that cause vision loss in Veterans and the general population.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I50RX003002-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11016910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals experiencing or at risk for vision loss due to eye or nervous system disorders, including Veterans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without vision loss or related neurological conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This program focuses on finding the earliest signs of eye and nervous system disorders that can lead to blindness, as well as tracking how these conditions change and respond to treatments. Researchers are discovering new ways to treat these conditions by studying how diseases affect vision. They use advanced imaging and artificial intelligence to find important signs of eye and brain disorders, including how eyes, pupils, and eyelids move. Many health issues can show up in the eyes, making this a great way to detect and develop new treatments for both eye and body-wide problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments for various causes of vision loss, improving quality of life for many.
How similar studies have gone: This effort aims to discover new treatment innovations and early detection methods, building upon existing knowledge while exploring novel applications of technology like AI.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kardon, Randy H. — Iowa City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kardon, Randy H.
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Center for Preventing and Treating Visual Loss in Veterans
A center-backed effort to detect early signs of eye and brain disorders that can cause blindness, using AI and advanced eye imaging to guide new treatments for Veterans and the general public.
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.