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Combining OCE and Brillouin microscopy to evaluate in vivo lens biomechanics in Presbyopia

Award Number: F30EY035154
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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Combining OCE and Brillouin microscopy to evaluate in vivo lens biomechanics in Presbyopia - Abstract Presbyopia is a loss of the dynamic accommodation response of our vision and affects everybody as they age. Presbyopia is not a static defect such as myopia since the lens must be capable of changing size and shape to achieve different focal lengths. However, current treatment options today are based on spectacles, or static corrections of vision, and do not treat the underlying cause to restore dynamic accommodation, resulting in subpar corrections and problems with quality of life. Growing evidence suggests that stiffening of the lens is critical to the inability of the eye to accommodate, and recent therapies have been developed targeting both the optical and biomechanical nature of presbyopia, with varying levels of success. However, the major barrier to innovation in this space is the lack of in vivo characterization and monitoring of lens accommodation mechanics, which would aid both diagnostic monitoring and therapeutic planning. The lens presents spatially varying mechanical properties that change with age, and thus monitoring this variation in vivo is important. Optical coherence elastography (OCE) and Brillouin microscopy are two promising techniques in early clinical stages but suffer from complementary limitations. While OCE can quantitatively measure elastic modulus in physiological conditions, the contrast is limited in transparent tissues like the lens. Brillouin microscopy is capable of high spatial resolution but so far has only provided relative stiffness measurements because the high- frequency longitudinal modulus needs calibration, which is currently lacking in clinical settings. To address this unmet need, we propose a combination OCE/Brillouin system capable of measuring co-located Brillouin spectra and OCE information to map the depth-dependent elastic moduli. Combining OCE/Brillouin will allow for quantitative evaluation of depth-dependent biomechanical properties of the lens in 3D and for the use of forward- models to predict accommodation power and guide novel therapies. In Aim 1, the combined elastography system specifications will be quantified to meet criteria for evaluating a human lens. In Aim 2, the effective elastic modulus will be validated in an ex-vivo porcine lens for generating a biophysical model of accommodation. Finally, the system will be field-tested in Aim 3 using in vivo lens measurements combined with a forward finite- element model and validated against experimentally measured accommodation power. This research will ultimately result in enabling patient-specific predictive models of accommodation changes from lens softening procedures for presbyopia treatment.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $50,425 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Vision Research	000	2	1/9/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$48,804
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Vision Research	003	2	6/4/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,620
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE	220 ARCH ST OFC LEVEL2	BALTIMORE	MD	21201	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Vision Research	002	3	5/15/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$48,804
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Vision Research	001	2	5/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$48,803
														Subtotal = $50,425

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $38,091 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Vision Research	002	1	5/30/2024	NEW	$1,280
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Vision Research	000	1	1/24/2024	NEW	$36,811
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Vision Research	001	1	1/24/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $38,091

Grand Total All Awards = $88,516

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Combining OCE and Brillouin microscopy to evaluate in vivo lens biomechanics in Presbyopia

Award Number: F30EY035154

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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