Using advanced brain imaging to understand visual impairments in amblyopia
Official title: Applications of high resolution fMRI in ultra-high field (7T) in revealing developmental disorders underlying amblyopia
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10808083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how amblyopia, or lazy eye, impacts the way the brain works, using advanced imaging technology to better understand the visual problems it causes, with the goal of finding better ways to diagnose and treat people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $612,113 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY030434-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10808083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals under 21 years old who have been diagnosed with amblyopia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with amblyopia who are over 21 years old or those without a diagnosis of amblyopia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how amblyopia, a common visual disorder, affects brain function by utilizing high-resolution fMRI technology at ultra-high field strengths. The study aims to explore the fine-scale structures in the visual cortex that are disrupted in individuals with amblyopia, which can lead to significant perceptual challenges. By employing advanced imaging techniques, researchers hope to gain insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this condition, ultimately improving diagnosis and treatment options for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment strategies for amblyopia, enhancing visual perception for those affected.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using advanced neuroimaging techniques has shown promise in understanding visual disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nasr, Shahin — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nasr, Shahin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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High-resolution 7T fMRI to understand developmental causes of amblyopia
This project uses ultra-high field brain imaging to learn how amblyopia develops in people, with an emphasis on how vision sources interact in early life.
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A smart occlusion dose monitor to help kids with amblyopia wear patches
A new device called AmblyoGo helps children with amblyopia wear their eye patches more consistently by automatically tracking patch wear and sharing simple feedback with families and clinicians.
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Better treatments for amblyopia (lazy eye) and binocular vision in children
This compares a patch-free, activity-based therapy to standard eye patching to help children with amblyopia (lazy eye) improve vision and stick with treatment.
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How attention can change eye suppression in amblyopia (lazy eye)
This project tests whether directing attention to the weaker eye can reduce visual suppression for adults with amblyopia (lazy eye).
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Understanding how attention affects vision in lazy eye
This study is looking at how focusing your attention can help improve vision in adults with lazy eye, and it aims to find new ways to treat this condition by understanding how the brain works in these situations.
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Investigating visual perception issues in children with amblyopia
This study is looking at how kids with anisometropic amblyopia see things differently, especially when it comes to recognizing patterns and contrasts, and it aims to learn more about their vision challenges through fun visual tests and advanced imaging techniques.
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.