Understanding blood vessel development in the eye of premature infants
Elucidating perifoveal vascular development in infants
This study is looking at how blood vessels grow in the eyes of premature babies to better understand their vision and help prevent any sight problems they might face.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10906930 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how blood vessels develop in the perifoveal region of the retina in infants born prematurely. Using advanced imaging techniques, the team aims to understand the vascular changes that occur in the eyes of these infants, particularly those who may be at risk for visual impairments. By employing handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography, the researchers will gather detailed images and data to analyze the vascular structure and its implications for visual function. This work is crucial for identifying the underlying causes of vision problems in preterm infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants born prematurely, particularly those who may be at risk for retinopathy of prematurity or other visual impairments.
Not a fit: Patients who are full-term infants or those without any history of visual impairments or prematurity may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of visual impairments in premature infants, potentially reducing the risk of childhood blindness.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using advanced imaging techniques to study vascular development, indicating that this approach has potential for yielding valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xi — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xi
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.