# Characterizing retinal function using AOSLO based psychophysics and optoretinography

> **NIH NIH F31** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2024 · $48,974

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Disruptions in retinal structures are largely thought to contribute to reduced visual function. The diagnosis and
management of diseases which cause disruptions in retinal structures relies on the ability to non-invasively
assess the living retina. Adaptive optics (AO) based imaging tools have enabled visualization of retinal structure
at the cellular level and have enabled high resolution functional testing. However, previous AO-centric studies
have classically evaluated retinal structure and function independently. This results in a significant gap in our
understanding of how variations in retinal structure in turn impact measures of retinal function. Closing
this gap is essential for advancing functional assays and improving our understanding of how
disruptions to retinal structures impact visual function. Here, we will explore the relationship between retinal
structure and function in vivo using an adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) based
psychophysical task to measure AO-corrected visual acuity in individuals with disruptions to their retinal structure
caused by albinism. We will also improve our understanding of a new functional assay for probing individual
photoreceptor cells, intensity based optoretinography (iORG), by quantifying how natural variation in the eye that
occurs throughout the day due to circadian rhythm, and how different spectral cone types contribute to variations
seen in this signal. We will accomplish this through the following two aims: Aim 1) examine how disruptions in
foveal anatomical specializations impact visual function using AOSLO-based tools. Through investigating the
relationship between the Nyquist sampling limit of the foveal photoreceptor mosaic and adaptive optics corrected
visual acuity in individuals with albinism I hope to gain important insight on if disruptions to foveal private line
circuitry could drive the variable visual acuity reported in these individuals; Aim 2) characterize factors which
cause variation in iORG measurements in individual and populations of cones. In order to improve iORG and
gain a better understanding on how experimental procedures such as the time day in which data was collected
and the distribution of different spectral cone types impact variations in iORG metrics we will investigate the
degree to which these factors contribute to variations seen in iORG signals. Completion of this research project
will provide insight on how variations in retinal structures impact visual function in living humans. In addition, this
project will improve a diagnostic tool (iORG) which can be used to probe individual photoreceptor function in
vivo. Beyond the scientific advancements this research seeks to accomplish, this also presents a unique training
opportunity which combines retinal imaging, optics, software development, engineering principles, and clinical
experience. The proposed research training plan will provide me with valuable technical, research,...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10994963
- **Project number:** 1F31EY036692-01
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Mina M Gaffney
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,974
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10994963

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10994963, Characterizing retinal function using AOSLO based psychophysics and optoretinography (1F31EY036692-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10994963. Licensed CC0.

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