Using OCT eye scans to find and predict dangerous angle-closure glaucoma
Clinical Evaluation and Risk Stratification of Angle Closure Disease Using Quantitative OCT
This project uses detailed OCT eye scans to find people with narrow angles who are more likely to develop angle-closure glaucoma so they can get treatment earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261172 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, you would get noninvasive OCT imaging of the front part of your eye to measure the drainage angle instead of relying only on gonioscopy. The team will use precise, quantitative measurements from those scans and apply statistical models to sort people into higher- and lower-risk groups. Researchers will follow imaging and clinical data over time to see which measurements best predict who develops angle-closure glaucoma. The goal is to create a clearer way to decide who needs preventive treatment and who can be monitored safely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with narrow anterior chamber angles, a history of elevated eye pressure, or early signs of angle closure on exam would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with other types of glaucoma (like established open-angle glaucoma) or those with advanced, irreversible vision loss from angle closure are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could catch at-risk eyes earlier and help prevent sight loss by guiding timely preventive treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows OCT can image angle anatomy more objectively than gonioscopy, but using OCT measurements to predict who will progress to angle-closure glaucoma is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Benjamin Y. — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Xu, Benjamin Y.
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.