Understanding how myopia and glaucoma are connected through eye mechanics
Official title: Myopia and Glaucoma, Linked via Mechanotransduction Mechanisms Affecting the Ganglion Cell Complex
Funded at State College of Optometry · NIH-11418938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how eye growth in myopia may influence glaucoma risk and what markers could identify it early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State College of Optometry NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $408,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034086-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with myopia who are at risk for glaucoma, as well as animal model data that relate myopia progression to optic nerve changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without myopia or glaucoma may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how the wearing of myopia-related eye growth affects the nerve cells and structures in the eye over time, using animal models and human-relevant data to find early clues of glaucoma in myopic eyes. They aim to map genetic, cellular, structural, and functional changes as myopia progresses, with a focus on how mechanical forces inside the eye contribute to ganglion cell loss. The effort seeks to uncover biomarkers and potential neuroprotective approaches to keep the vision of people with myopia safer as the condition evolves. The project builds on detailed anatomical and physiological analyses to distinguish myopia-related changes from glaucoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier, more accurate diagnosis and new treatments to protect vision in people who have or will develop myopia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest a link between mechanical changes in the eye and glaucoma, but this project aims to define early, specific markers in myopic eyes.
Where this research is happening
-
State College of Optometry
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benavente-Perez, Alexandra — State College of Optometry
- Study coordinator: Benavente-Perez, Alexandra
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma for High Myopia
A study to improve early detection of open-angle glaucoma in people with high myopia using advanced eye imaging.
-
How nearsightedness may raise glaucoma risk in retinal cells and vessels
A clinician-scientist is studying how myopia changes eye cells and blood vessels to understand why nearsighted people are more at risk for glaucoma.
-
Detecting glaucoma in people with high nearsightedness (high myopia)
This project uses new three-dimensional eye imaging and analysis to find glaucoma earlier in people with high myopia.
-
How myopia affects eye cells and its link to glaucoma risk
This study is looking at how being nearsighted might affect the cells and blood vessels in your eyes, which could increase the chance of getting glaucoma, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how myopia can lead to changes in eye health.
-
Exploring the link between myopia and glaucoma through cellular mechanisms
This study is looking at how having myopia (nearsightedness) might raise the chances of getting glaucoma, a serious eye disease, and it aims to find ways to help protect your vision by tracking changes in your eyes over time.
-
IOP and CSF Pressure in Glaucoma Risk
This grant studies how eye pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure together influence glaucoma risk and 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.