# Handheld Portable Adaptive Optics Optical Coherence Tomography for Imaging Young Children

> **NIH NIH R21** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $192,944

## Abstract

Abstract
Eye diseases in young children, if not detected and treated early, can lead to serious vision loss and even
blindness. We have pioneered development of handheld spectral domain optical coherence tomography (HH-
SDOCT) imaging systems to provide 3-D visualization of intra-retinal structures. Our previous studies based on
HH-SDOCT of neonatal retina have already provided unique and previously unseen information about disease
progression in young children. However, due to the limited resolution of conventional OCT, HH-SDOCT does
not visualize individual foveal photoreceptors. In vivo photoreceptor imaging, achieved by adaptive optics
scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO), has enhanced the way vision scientists and ophthalmologists
understand retinal structure, function, and the etiology of numerous retinal pathologies in adults. Very recently,
we overcame the complexity and large footprint of current AOSLO systems, which had been limited to imaging
cooperative adults, by developing the first wavefront sensorless (WSL) HH-AOSLO system that visualized cones
in an important fraction of patients: small children, infants, and the bedridden. However, despite imaging the
smallest photoreceptors to date, WSL HH-AOSLO is limited to 2-D imaging, critically slow, and incapable of
imaging the smallest sized foveal cones and rods. Our long-term goal is to improve the vision outcomes of at-
risk young children with retinal diseases through earlier and better directed therapy. To achieve this goal, the
overall objective of this proposal is to develop accurate yet portable and non-invasive diagnostic tools customized
for young children care. In this need-driven proposal, hypothesize that by taking advantage of recent advances
in image processing and optics as an integrated technology, a small form-factor, light, and portable wavefront
sensor-based 3-D HH-AOOCT system capable of visualizing individual foveal photoreceptors can be developed
which will ultimately provide quantitative measurements of novel imaging biomarkers of the onset and
progression of retinal diseases in young children. We will achieve our objectives by pursuit of the following
specific aims: #1: Develop hardware to build the first HH-AOOCT system optimized for retinal imaging of young
children. #2: Develop software to control the hardware in Aim 1 and to automatically quantify potential imaging
biomarkers of the onset and progression of retinal diseases in young children. #3: Perform a pilot study in adults
and young children. Evaluate, provide feedback, and improve the performance of methodologies in Aims 1&2,
and then test the utility and validity of images and measurements compared to conventional diagnostic methods.
The results of this study have the potential to provide practical diagnostic tools that will revolutionize the
management of retinal diseases during the period of retinal development and maturation. This contribution would
be significant as the first step in a continuum o...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9853794
- **Project number:** 5R21EY029804-02
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sina Farsiu
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $192,944
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9853794

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9853794, Handheld Portable Adaptive Optics Optical Coherence Tomography for Imaging Young Children (5R21EY029804-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9853794. Licensed CC0.

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