Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-Guided Ultrafast, Nonthermal Laser Microablation for Non-invasive Vitreoretinal Surgery

Award Number: F31EY037177
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-Guided Ultrafast, Nonthermal Laser Microablation for Non-invasive Vitreoretinal Surgery - PROJECT SUMMARY Photonics research has substantially advanced ophthalmology by introducing precise diagnostic and treatment methods that have enhanced eye health and vision outcomes. Thermal lasers have revolutionized the treatment of posterior segment conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal detachments; however, their application is limited near the macula—the central part of the retina—due to the risk of irreversible loss of vision from collateral thermal damage. This project aims to develop the next generation of surgical techniques by evaluating the usability of ultrafast (femtosecond) nonthermal lasers for treating vitreoretinal and posterior segment disorders of the eye. Ultrafast lasers are widely used in anterior segment LASIK and cataract operations, yet their application in vitreoretinal cases remains unexplored. In the U.S., around 250,000 pars plana vitrectomies (PPV) are performed annually, serving as the standard treatment for most vitreoretinal conditions. While effective, PPV is a delicate and time-consuming operation, carrying the risk of potential iatrogenic complications. The use of nonthermal femtosecond lasers as a “laser scalpel” presents the exciting possibility to enable rapid and highly precise surgery with significantly less error-prone manual operations within the eye. Changes in the vitreous gel's properties either due to normal aging processes or pathological sequelae of common chronic disorders, such as diabetic retinopathy, can lead to anomalous scar tissue or epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation on the vitreoretinal interface. These changes cause significant vision distortions and can lead to mechanical vitreomacular traction (VMT), which commonly leads to retinal holes and tears. The central hypothesis is that the integration of ultrafast nonthermal laser ablation, guided by real-time optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced interface, will facilitate noninvasive, non-thermal interventions for VMT and ERM, presenting an alternative to PPV which can more reliably preserve the integrity of adjacent critical retinal structures. Aim 1: Characterization of ultrafast laser ablation effects on ex vivo vitreous and retinal tissues and development of integrated OCT-laser system. Aim 2: Development of 3D segmentation AI algorithms and a surgical operator interface for guiding treatment. Aim 3: Validation of the integrated system through testing on whole ex vivo porcine and cadaver human eyes. These studies pave the way for revolutionary advancements in the minimally invasive treatment of vitreoretinal disorders. This training plan’s focus on laser and imaging techniques integrates well with a career goal of becoming an ophthalmologist-scientist with a focus on developing novel biophotonics-based diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $38,134 )
2026	2026	TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER	6003 TAMU	COLLEGE STATION	TX	77843	BRAZOS	USA	Vision Research	000	2	1/20/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$38,134
														Subtotal = $38,134

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $38,134 )
2025	2025	TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER	6003 TAMU	COLLEGE STATION	TX	77843	BRAZOS	USA	Vision Research	000	1	12/19/2024	NEW	$37,570
2025	2025	TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER	6003 TAMU	COLLEGE STATION	TX	77843	BRAZOS	USA	Vision Research	001	1	12/19/2024	NEW	$0
2025	2025	TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER	6003 TAMU	COLLEGE STATION	TX	77843	BRAZOS	USA	Vision Research	002	1	6/18/2025	NEW	$564
														Subtotal = $38,134

Grand Total All Awards = $76,268

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-Guided Ultrafast, Nonthermal Laser Microablation for Non-invasive Vitreoretinal Surgery

Award Number: F31EY037177

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer