# Novel Optical Diagnostics with Optical Coherence Tomography

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $483,246

## Abstract

This proposal is a renewal of an ongoing collaborative program among investigators at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) and New England Eye Center (NEEC). The program focuses on the development
of optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology and its application to investigate structural alterations and
blood flow impairment in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aim 1. Next Generation OCT Technology
for Imaging Structure and Blood Flow in AMD. Task 1. We will develop ultrahigh speed, swept-source OCT
angiography (SS-OCTA) operating at >1MHz A-scan rates (5-10× faster than commercial OCTA). Ultrahigh A-
scan rates enable detection of subtle blood flow impairments and measurement of relative blood flow speeds
that are not possible with commercial OCTA. Task 2. We will develop ultrahigh resolution spectral-domain OCT
(SD-OCT) technology with a 2.5-3µm axial resolution, higher A-scan rates, software motion correction and
extended imaging range using dynamic depth-tracking. Ultrahigh resolution enables detection of subtle structural
alterations in the photoreceptors/retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch's membrane (PR/RPE/BM), including basal
deposits, which are potential early markers of disease. Task 3. We will develop software/hardware methods to
enable simultaneous study of structure and blood flow. Aim 2. Imaging Structural Alterations and Blood Flow
Impairment in Early and Intermediate AMD. Task 4. We will perform a cross-sectional SS-OCTA/SD-OCT
study of eyes with early or intermediate AMD to investigate markers of CC flow impairment (e.g., CC flow deficits)
and PR/RPE/BM structural alterations (e.g., basal deposit thicknesses), their mutual associations and
association with drusen to establish in vivo analogues of histopathology findings. Task 5. We will perform a
longitudinal SS-OCTA/SD-OCT study of eyes with intermediate AMD to investigate the spatiotemporal
correlation of CC flow impairment and PR/RPE/BM alterations with development of nascent geographic atrophy
(GA), non-exudative choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and late AMD (GA/exudative AMD) to elucidate
pathogenesis and identify markers of progression. Aim 3. Imaging Structural Alterations and Blood Flow
Impairment in GA. Task 6. We will perform a longitudinal SS-OCTA/SD-OCT study of GA eyes to investigate
CC blood flow impairments and PR/RPE/BM alterations and their association with GA growth. Task 7. We will
develop a model to predict the spatiotemporal progression of GA. Aim 4. Imaging Blood Flow Impairment in
Non-Exudative CNV. Task 8. We will longitudinally study eyes with non-exudative CNV, a known risk-factor for
exudation. SS-OCTA with variable interscan time analysis will be used to study relative blood flow speeds and
other flow parameters (e.g., shear stress) as possible predictors of time-to-exudation. The program develops
and applies new imaging technologies and methods that will enable the first integrated studies of blood flow
impairment and structural al...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9971809
- **Project number:** 2R01EY011289-34
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES G FUJIMOTO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $483,246
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9971809

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9971809, Novel Optical Diagnostics with Optical Coherence Tomography (2R01EY011289-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9971809. Licensed CC0.

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