# Physiological and perceptual examination of vision restoration

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 2021 · $721,885

## Abstract

Project summary
 Despite the current enthusiasm for optogenetic vision restoration, there is
remarkably little direct evidence about whether it can reverse blindness in
humans. The feasibility of optogenetics was first suggested by studies from many
labs that showed restoration of neuronal visual responses and visually guided
behaviors in previously blind mice or dogs. These studies have been very
informative in exploring interventions to treat retinal diseases genetically identical
to some human disorders. However, they have not addressed restoration in an
animal model that closely matches human vision, nor have they examined the
perceptual quality of the restored vision. In the studies proposed here, we will
address these two issues, first by using macaque monkeys in all studies, the
animal model that most resembles humans in visual structure and function, and
second by examining the range of visual perceptual abilities made possible by
optogenetics. We will use a recently developed in-vivo physiology method to
study vision restoration at the level of individual retinal cells in macaque
monkeys. This approach will be used in the first aim to examine at a cellular level
the spatial, temporal and sensitivity responses of macaque retinal neurons
produced by optogenetic restoration. In the second aim we will use controlled
fixation psychophysical testing of macaques to examine the range of visual
capabilities provided by channelrhodopsin restoration, something that has never
been studied. Finally, we will examine the duration of optogenetic restoration,
measuring any long-term decrease in function or practice-related improvement in
visual function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10104499
- **Project number:** 5R01EY021166-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** William H Merigan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $721,885
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-02-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10104499

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10104499, Physiological and perceptual examination of vision restoration (5R01EY021166-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10104499. Licensed CC0.

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