Understanding how people with central vision loss stabilize their gaze
Official title: Oculomotor Demands for Target Stabilization without Central Vision
Funded at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute · NIH-11095960 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how people with central vision loss, especially from age-related macular degeneration, move their eyes and keep their gaze steady in daily life, aiming to understand the challenges they face when looking at different objects and moving around, so we can find better ways to help them get around safely.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $507,928 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036172-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095960 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals suffering from central visual field loss due to age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact central vision or those with other unrelated visual impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individuals with central visual field loss, particularly from age-related macular degeneration, manage their eye movements and gaze stabilization in everyday situations. It focuses on the challenges faced when shifting gaze between objects and maintaining visual stability while moving. By studying these behaviors in a naturalistic context, the research aims to uncover the difficulties that arise from the loss of central vision and how it affects mobility and navigation. The findings could lead to better strategies for helping those affected navigate their environments safely.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve safety and mobility for patients with central vision loss, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding visual limitations in static contexts, but this approach to studying oculomotor behaviors in dynamic environments is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shanidze, Natela M. — Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Shanidze, Natela M.
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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.