Using advanced imaging to study eye health and diseases
Adaptive Optics Fluorescence Lifetime Ophthalmoscopy (AOFLIO) in healthy people and with disease
This study is testing a new way to take pictures of the eye to see how healthy the cells in the retina are, which could help doctors better understand and track eye diseases like Stargardt disease in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Waterloo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waterloo, Canada) |
| Project ID | NIH-11009473 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new imaging technique called adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy (AOFLIO) to better understand the health of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the eye. By measuring the fluorescence emitted from these cells, researchers aim to identify changes that occur in both healthy individuals and those with diseases like Stargardt disease. The study will involve adult participants and will help in diagnosing and monitoring eye diseases by providing detailed insights into cellular-level changes in the retina.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults with healthy eyes or those diagnosed with Stargardt disease.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced retinal diseases or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools for detecting and monitoring retinal diseases, potentially preserving vision for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for eye health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Waterloo, Canada
- University of Waterloo — Waterloo, Canada (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunter, Jennifer J — University of Waterloo
- Study coordinator: Hunter, Jennifer J
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.