Investigating transient physiological biomarkers of progressive myopia using tailored and multi-eccentric optical stimulation

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Siegfried Wahl
• Subject Area: Ophthalmology ; Methods in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning ; Measurement Systems ; Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563682942

Myopia represents a global health concern, since its prevalence is projected to rise steadily. Although substantial progress in myopia control methods has been achieved, the optical and molecular mechanisms of its onset and progression are not entirely understood. Previous research agrees on showing that the image properties of optical stimuli on the retina trigger a temporal choroidal response, thinning or thickening, known as transient choroidal response (TCR). If this stimulation is prolonged, it may lead to alterations in eye elongation, potentially leading to myopia onset or progression. Therefore, the amplitude of the short-term changes in choroidal thickness has been a biomarker of myopia progression. However, all properties of the TCR have not been fully investigated. The fundamental research targeted in this proposal is based on the following hypotheses: (1) The TCR depends on the image properties of the retinal stimulus; (2) High-speed optical imaging can measure the TCR with high temporal resolution at the retinal periphery, a location of high-interest for optical interventions for myopia control; (3) Understanding the effect of the different image properties, e.g., contrast or optical defocus, on the TCR can be useful to guide the design of more effective, individualized optical treatments for myopia control. The objective of this project is to determine the relationships between the image properties of retinal stimuli and the biomarkers of eye elongation derived from the TCR. Specifically, we propose to assess the TCR by exposing the eyes to peripheral stimuli with programmed image properties, alongside sharp foveal stimuli. This approach simulates the intended presentation of stimuli in current optical myopia control interventions; however, these interventions often fail to ensure the fidelity of peripheral image properties due to changes caused by ocular aberrations. Conversely, we will use adaptive optics technology to control the aberrations, allowing us to enhance the fidelity of the properties of the stimuli at the retina. Moreover, we will register the TCR using a custom-made optical coherence tomography system that will simultaneously operate with the retinal stimulation. Integrating both technologies into a single instrument will address a common limitation in most current studies, which is the need to interrupt the stimulation process to examine the anatomical structures of the eye fundus. This project will enhance our understanding of the light signaling mechanisms involved in myopia development. The primary expected outcome of this comprehensive study is the identification of key characteristics of the optical stimuli responsible for changes in choroidal thickness, which might be linked to long-term abnormal eyeball growth. Furthermore, the insights gained from this research could benefit the clinical community by informing more individualized myopia control solutions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Poland
• Cooperation Partner: Privatdozent Dr. Grulkowski Ireneusz