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Multifunctional Imaging of the Optic Nerve Head in Glaucoma

Award Number: F32EY037508
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/14/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/13/2029

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Multifunctional Imaging of the Optic Nerve Head in Glaucoma - PROJECT SUMMARY Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, characterized by damage to the optic nerve. Elevated intraocular pressure is the primary risk factor for glaucoma, believed to induce changes in the biomechanical environments (e.g., collagen deposition) and vascular networks in the optic nerve head. Despite the spatial proximity of collagenous and vascular networks, biomechanical and vascular etiologies are often analyzed separately due to technical limitations. A recent study identified a spatial correlation between collagenous lamina cribrosa (LC) defects and reduced vessel density using a combination of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging techniques. While standard OCT is valuable for assessing aspects of glaucoma, such as retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning and LC deformations, its ability is limited to evaluate early changes in tissue integrity and composition, as well as biomechanical factors. This limitation hampers understanding of whether early-stage structural remodeling correlated with compromised blood flow. To address this knowledge gap, this project aims to implement multifunctional OCT that provides simultaneous polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) and OCTA imaging, known as polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography angiography (PS-OCTA). PS-OCT offers birefringence contrast, such as retardance and fast-axis orientation, providing additional tissue-specific contrasts beyond the scatter-based signals of conventional OCT imaging. This advanced approach enables the detection of microstructural changes in the RNFL and LC before visible damage appears on conventional OCT signals. The goal of Aim 1 is to establish a PS-OCTA baseline to characterize RNFL microstructure and vascular networks in glaucoma using a translational imaging technique. The baseline data will serve as an impactful reference for glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring. Aim 2 seeks to identify the spatial correlation between LC collagen deposition and vascular changes in glaucoma using a custom-built, long-wavelength PS-OCTA system that offers enhanced depth penetration, high resolution, and improved sensitivity—providing mechanistic insight into glaucoma. This research project combines technical innovation and scientific investigation, aiming to enhance the understanding of glaucoma mechanisms and improve early detection and monitoring of disease progression. The fellowship training takes place at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, under the sponsorship of Dr. Martin Villiger and co-sponsorship of Dr. Brett Bouma. The training plan includes technical skill development in advanced optical imaging, data science, and human subject research. It also incorporates structured career development activities, including grant writing, scientific communication, and mentoring, to support the transition to research independence.


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 = $82,480 )
2026	2026	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	1	6/11/2026	NEW	$82,480
2026	2026	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	001	1	6/11/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $82,480

Grand Total All Awards = $82,480

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Multifunctional Imaging of the Optic Nerve Head in Glaucoma

Award Number: F32EY037508

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/14/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/13/2029

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