# The Impact of Non-Exudative Type 1 Macular Neovascularization (MNV) on Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Progression

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $385,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in the developed world. AMD
is characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that
may be accompanied by the development of macular neovascularization (MNV). MNV gets clinically apparent
when these new vessels become ‘exudative’. This exudative stage of ‘neovascular’ AMD can be treated by
application of biologics that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor. Without treatment, exudative MNV typically
results in extensive fibrosis with severe central vision loss.
Interestingly, there is a growing body of evidence that photoreceptor and RPE degeneration is slowed down in
eyes exhibiting ‘non-exudative type 1 MNV’ that is located in the sub-RPE space. However, the proof of a direct
protective effect of this specific MNV sub-type on visual function in AMD is lacking. The proposed project aims
to demonstrate (1) relative preservation of retinal function along with (2) preserved structure in the immediate
vicinity of type 1 MNV, whereas progressive loss of sensitivity and degeneration occurs in the surrounding tissue.
This will be approached by the application of in vivo high-resolution retinal imaging combined with spatially-
resolved testing of retinal sensitivity by fundus-controlled perimetry. Furthermore, given the need to minimize the
burden of laborious functional testing on patients and investigators in future studies in AMD, (3) artificial
intelligence will be applied in order to infer retinal function from high-resolution retinal imaging. Aim is to identify
a minimum set of clinical procedures that still allows estimation of spatially-resolved retinal sensitivity and that
may be implemented in future study protocols.
This research project challenges the current concept of AMD. Substantial evidence for a protective potential of
type 1 MNV would support the view that MNV development is actually an intrinsic ‘rescue mechanism’. This
project will provide essential information to interpret current treatment approaches in AMD and would also
provide a rationale for controlled MNV induction as therapeutic strategy to prevent vision loss in AMD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10873833
- **Project number:** 5R01EY033365-03
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Monika Fleckenstein
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $385,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10873833

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10873833, The Impact of Non-Exudative Type 1 Macular Neovascularization (MNV) on Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Progression (5R01EY033365-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10873833. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*