# Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss

> **NIH VA I50** · IOWA CITY VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss (CPTVL) focuses on the early
detection of potentially blinding disorders of the Veteran and general population caused by disorders of the eye
and nervous system that mediate visual perception, light sensitivity, eye movements, blinking, pupil
movements, ocular sensation, and pain. The Center tests new ways of determining the earliest sign of disease,
its progression and response to treatment. New treatment innovations are discovered by a dedicated group of
VA scientists and clinicians who study the pathomechanisms of disease. Key discoveries utilize machine
learning and artificial intelligence in combination with advanced ocular imaging to elucidate structure and
function of the eye and central nervous system. Resulting discoveries provide important, clinically relevant
biomarkers of eye and neurologic disorders. These include reflex movements of the eyes, pupils, eyelids and
facial muscles of expression in three dimensions for objective diagnosis and monitoring of treatment. Many
diseases of the nervous system, cardiovascular system and immune system are manifested in the eye, making
it an ideal platform to detect, monitor and develop new treatments for ocular and systemic disorders affecting
Veterans. The Center’s mission of prevention and treatment of visual loss is carried out in 3 main spheres of
research that synergistically support one another:
Focus Area 1: Rehabilitation of Vision Loss
Many aspects of ocular disease resulting in vision loss remain incompletely understood. Discovery of damage
mechanisms informs new treatments for diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, glaucoma, optic nerve disorders
and ocular and systemic vascular disorders.
Focus Area 2: Ocular Biomarkers for Rehabilitation of Central Nervous System Disease
Many central nervous system diseases also affect ocular structure and function and these changes are often
detectable prior to onset of neurologic symptoms. Non-invasive tests of visual function and structure can
provide early and readily quantifiable biomarkers indicative of associated neurologic deficits.
Focus Area 3: Technology Development for Automated Telemedical Assessment of Ocular Disorders
and Assistive technologies
Development of technologies to detect structure and function of the eye for diagnosis, staging and monitoring
responses to treatment of visual disorders and related central nervous system degenerations. Such
technologies allow in-home monitoring of disease progression and treatment responses by patients.
Furthermore, technologies are developed that enable reliable eye examinations in community clinics for
interpretation by specialists located elsewhere. Finally, assistive technologies are being developed using three-
dimensional soundscape input from the visual environment to aid veterans with low vision.
 While research in the CPTVL ranges from the use of cell culture and preclinical models to instrument
development and clini...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10765785
- **Project number:** 2I50RX003002-06
- **Recipient organization:** IOWA CITY VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** RANDY H. KARDON
- **Activity code:** I50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10765785

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10765785, Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss (2I50RX003002-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10765785. Licensed CC0.

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