# Data-Driven Biomechanical Simulation of Eye Movement and Strabismus

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $423,781

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Strabismus, a common binocular vision disorder that involves neuromuscular abnormality of the eyes, affects 18
million Americans. The disorder causes double vision, binocular confusion, eyestrain, and other symptoms that
complicate daily activities. Strabismus is commonly treated surgically based on surgical intuition and tradition,
but with reported disappointing success rates ranging from 30% to 80%. We propose to develop a novel data-
driven modeling and simulation framework to simulate the neuro-biomechanics of strabismus that can bridge
experimental studies and clinical application to advance our understanding and treatment of strabismus. We will
develop the first three dimensional biomechanical model of the oculomotor system that incorporates recent
findings on extraocular muscle pulleys and muscle compartments. Using clinical data from multiple individual
cases as strong tests of the model, we will then develop generalized strategies for diagnosis and novel treatment
for common but problematic classes (archetypes) of strabismus that require improved management. The
knowledge gained from such systematic investigation can be directly applied clinically to assist future
assessment and quantitative surgical dosing of similar patients without simulating every patient. The success of
the proposed science-guided strabismus treatment approach could be utilized for other archetypes of strabismus
as well as other oculomotor disorders to improve clinical outcomes.
 We will perform three sets of related analyses. In Aim 1, we will develop a novel computational model of the
eyes capable of simulating binocular eye movement in three dimensions and overcoming limitations of existing
models. For the first time, latest research findings on the functional compartmentalization of extraocular muscles
and the actively-controlled pulley connective tissue gimbal system will be included in the biomechanical model.
The developed model will be validated against empirical and clinical data so that it can be used rigorously in
clinical simulation. In Aim 2 and Aim 3, we will leverage the model developed in Aim 1 to perform patient-specific
strabismus simulation incorporating clinical data. The role of compartmentalization in the pathophysiology of two
common types of cyclovertical strabismus, superior oblique palsy and sagging eye syndrome, will be examined.
Different surgical interventions on treating these conditions will be simulated on patient-specific orbit models to
assess the effectiveness of these surgical procedures.
 The outcome of this project will be a data-driven realistic neuro-biomechanical eye movement simulator, useful
for scientific research, clinical insights, and evaluation of different types of surgical approaches to common forms
of strabismus. Such a model can potentially improve our understanding of the functions of extraocular muscle
compartmentalization in normal eye movements and in strabismus. It can also provide quantitative assess...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9934210
- **Project number:** 5R01EY029715-02
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Qi Wei
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $423,781
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9934210

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9934210, Data-Driven Biomechanical Simulation of Eye Movement and Strabismus (5R01EY029715-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9934210. Licensed CC0.

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