# Biomechanics of accommodation

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON · 2022 · $581,999

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
Presbyopia, the progressive age-related loss of near visual function, is associated with a stiffening of the
crystalline lens. There are currently several investigational approaches for presbyopia treatment that rely on lens
softening or lens replacement with softer materials. Lens softening approaches are expected to have a
transformative impact on the field because they are non-invasive and they preserve the anatomical relationship
between the lens and other tissues involved in accommodation. They have therefore the potential to restore the
natural dynamic accommodative function. However, one of the fundamental roadblocks towards the
development of lens softening procedures is that there is currently no method available to directly measure lens
stiffness and thus assess the efficacy of lens softening procedures in vivo.
The goal of the project is to develop new technology capable of precise spatially-resolved non-destructive,
noninvasive and depth-resolved quantitative measurements of the lens mechanical properties in a clinical
setting. The technology will combine Brillouin microscopy, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and Optical
Coherence Elastography (OCE) - BOE. The instrument will be used to generate the first age-dependent data on
lens mechanical properties quantified in vivo as well as quantitatively assess therapeutic procedures aimed to
restore accommodation.
Our overall hypothesis is that the novel BOE technology can acquire absolute measurements of the lens stiffness
gradient with the accuracy and precision required to detect both age-related changes and changes induced by
lens softening treatments. The ability to quantify lens softening in vivo will have a major impact on pre-clinical
and clinical testing, validation and optimization of lens softening procedures.
The project has three specific aims:
Aim 1: Develop a combined BOE imaging device for depth-resolved quantitative lens elastography.
Aim 2: Validate BOE measurements in animal and human lens ex vivo and animal lens in vivo.
Aim 3: Quantify the mechanical properties of the human lens in vivo
To accomplish our objective, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team with expertise in optical coherence
tomography and elastography (Larin), Brillouin technology (Scarcelli), biomechanical modeling (Aglyamov),
clinical ophthalmic instrumentation and crystalline lens physiology (Manns, Parel, Ruggeri, Yoo).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10441503
- **Project number:** 5R01EY030063-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Kirill V Larin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $581,999
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10441503

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10441503, Biomechanics of accommodation (5R01EY030063-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10441503. Licensed CC0.

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