Understanding how aging and diabetes affect eye health
Official title: Inflammaging and Diabetic Retinopathy
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-10812925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aging and diabetes can affect your eyesight, especially how high blood sugar might harm the cells in your eyes and lead to vision problems, with the goal of finding ways to protect your vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $469,854 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY034684-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10812925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with diabetes who are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not have any risk factors for diabetic retinopathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between aging, diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in adults. It focuses on how high blood sugar levels can lead to stress and premature aging of retinal cells, which may contribute to vision loss. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these processes and explore potential therapeutic targets to prevent or mitigate damage to the retina. By examining the role of specific proteins and cellular responses, the research seeks to improve understanding of diabetic complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help preserve vision in diabetic patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cellular mechanisms of diabetic complications, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartoli, Manuela — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Bartoli, Manuela
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrative multi-omics to understand diabetic retinopathy
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-
Smartphone retinal imaging for diabetic eye disease in Egypt
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-
Retinal Cell Loss in Diabetic Retinopathy
This project looks at how mitochondrial problems and a specific kind of cell death called ferroptosis may cause retinal cells to die in people with diabetes-related eye disease.
-
Redox-triggered REDD1 blockers for diabetic retinopathy
A research project tests new ways to stop a stress protein (REDD1) from causing vision problems in people with diabetic retinopathy.
-
Ultrafast eye imaging to detect and track diabetic retinopathy
A doctor-science team is developing ultra-fast eye scans to better see tiny blood vessels in people with diabetic retinopathy, helping catch changes early and guide treatment.
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Practical device to automatically track abnormal retinal blood vessel growth in diabetic eye disease
A new, easier-to-use imaging device aims to automatically detect and monitor abnormal retinal blood vessel growth in people with diabetic retinopathy.
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.