Wide-view cornea imaging to detect keratoconus
Official title: Wide-field corneal microlayer tomography for keratoconus
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11250039 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is building a wide-field corneal OCT scan to spot tiny early changes in the cornea in people with or at risk for keratoconus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,569 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033429-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11250039 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with suspected or early keratoconus, a family history of keratoconus, or recent unexplained changes in vision or corneal topography would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with unrelated eye diseases or those with advanced keratoconus who have already had crosslinking or corneal transplantation are less likely to benefit from this imaging.
What this research studies
The team will develop a new wide-field optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner that images the cornea’s micro-layers, focusing on the epithelium and Bowman’s layer across the entire cornea. They will take high-resolution images in people with keratoconus and in healthy volunteers to quantify structural and optical differences. The project aims to find earlier, subtle signs of keratoconus before visible changes in corneal shape occur. If the imaging works as hoped, it could be used to detect disease earlier and inform treatment timing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could allow earlier detection of keratoconus so treatments like corneal crosslinking might be offered before significant vision loss.
How similar studies have gone: Standard OCT and other corneal imaging methods have detected some microstructural changes, but this wide-field microlayer tomography is a novel approach that has not yet been widely tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruggeri, Marco — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ruggeri, Marco
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Engineered Cornea Chip to Study Keratoconus Curvature
A patient-friendly model of keratoconus will be created on a tiny, engineered eye chip to study how shape changes affect eye tissue and to identify potential new treatments.
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How hormones and the pituitary may affect keratoconus
This project looks at whether sex hormones and pituitary signals change the cornea in people with keratoconus to help explain why the disease starts and progresses.
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Cell and genetic causes of keratoconus
Researchers are analyzing cell changes and genes in people with keratoconus to find early warning signs and new treatment targets.
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Exploring the connection between keratoconus and sex hormones
This study is looking at how sex hormones might affect keratoconus, an eye condition that can worsen vision, to help find better ways to manage it and improve care for people dealing with this issue.
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Improving early detection of keratoconus using advanced imaging technology
This study is testing a new imaging technology that helps doctors spot keratoconus earlier by taking detailed pictures of the eye's surface, which could lead to better treatment and help protect your vision.
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Preventing cell death in corneal cells to treat keratoconus without surgery
This study is looking for new ways to help people with keratoconus, a condition that affects vision by thinning the cornea, by finding treatments that can keep important cells in the eye alive and healthy.
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.