The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded a $491,466 Project Grant under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to develop a novel, non-invasive, and sensitive measure of retinal dysfunction. The goal is to create a scalable diagnostic method for early detection and monitoring of retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa, which can progress without obvious visual symptoms. The researchers will evaluate the use of the optokinetic reflex, a visually-evoked compensatory eye movement, as an indicator of localized cone and inner retinal function. This work aims to provide more sensitive measures of cone survival and retinal function compared to traditional tests, enabling earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes. Completion of this 2-year project is expected to yield critical tools for enhancing diagnosis and monitoring of retinal diseases.
Generated 3/4/25, 8:05 AM