At their April 2023 meeting, the Board of Directors of All May See approved $200,742 in research awards for the following projects:

 

Development of an injectable biopolymer device for sustained intravitreal delivery of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for the treatment of juvenile X-linked retinoschisis.

 

Principal Investigator: Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD

Juvenile X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) is an inherited retinal disorder (IRD) that predominantly affects boys and men, arising in early childhood with potential blindness by their teens or adulthood. While there are few medication options for IRDs, XLRS responds well to carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) treatment. Treatment with eye drops has been effective but is unable to fully penetrate the eye and dependent on patient application. This project aims to develop a minimally invasive injectable device to provide CAI therapy for 6–12 months, offering a better treatment approach.
 

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Identification of a visually evoked reflex as a more sensitive diagnostic for graded cone loss.

 

Principal Investigators: Felice Dunn, PhD, and Jacque Duncan, MD

Many degenerative vision diseases are caused by the deterioration of photoreceptors (light-sensitive cells) in the back of the eye. However, this loss can evade detection until more than half of the cells are compromised. The Dunn and Duncan labs are collaborating to develop high-sensitivity assays to detect photoreceptor degeneration earlier than current methods. The Dunn lab’s discoveries revealed novel changes to visual processing following modest cell loss, and in combination with the clinical expertise of the Duncan lab in diagnosing such conditions, this project hopes to generate a new window into eye health, enabling the early identification, management, and mitigation of degenerative vision diseases.
 

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Deep learning system to predict 5-year risk of high myopia using fundus imaging in a North American population of children.

 

Principal Investigator: Jonathan Li, MD

This project involves photographing North American children’s retinas and processing the photos through an artificial intelligence system to predict a child’s risk of developing severe nearsightedness (high myopia). If found valid, this non-invasive approach will enable the identification of patients most in need of aggressive treatment while there is still ample time for intervention.
 

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Multiphoton Aqueous Flowmetry and Image-Guided Laser Therapy: Novel Approaches for Glaucoma Precision Medicine.

 

Principal Investigator: Tyson Kim, MD, PhD

Currently, the only treatment to slow or stop progression of glaucoma is to lower eye pressure. This project investigates the use of advanced laser imaging techniques for new, less-invasive methods to measure the drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) from the eye, which will ultimately result in more precise methods of glaucoma evaluation and treatment.

Every year, All May See awards grants to Ophthalmology researchers to facilitate preliminary studies focused on novel approaches to discover the causes and treatments for a wide range of vision problems. In 2021, a total of $200,000 in award grants were provided for the following projects:

 
Project Title: National Eye Institute (NEI) Center Core Grant for Vision Research
Principal Investigator: Erik Ullian, PhD

Findings: The acquisition of a state-of-the-art Zeiss LSM900 Airyscan 2 confocal microscope was made possible with NEI funds and a generous gift from Don and Judy McCubbin. This microscope is crucial for the success of numerous NEI-funded projects. To ensure its optimal performance, the All May See grant funds the cost of two additional years of service contract to maintain the microscope in excellent condition.
 

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Project Title: Elucidating Mechanisms of Visual Pathway Damage in Alzheimer’s Disease
Principal Investigator: Alexander Smith, PhD

Findings: The research discovered that amyloid beta peptides associated with Alzheimer’s Disease accumulate in the optic nerve and the sclera. These findings offer a novel mechanistic explanation for vision loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Smith intends to seek National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to further this research in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging.
 

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Project Title: Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias
Principal Investigators: Li Xuan Tan, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Aparna Lakkaraju, PhD)

Findings: Dr. Tan’s investigation shed light on the mechanisms responsible for impaired visual function in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The research discovered specific defects in energy production and metabolism in the tissue that nourishes and protects the retina, leading to inflammation and loss of the light-sensing cells of the eye, resulting in progressive visual deficits.
 

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Project Title: Enabling Direct Correlation of Choroidal Blood Flow and Retinal Degeneration at the Single Vessel Level and Over Time Using Transscleral Multiphoton Microscopy
Principal Investigator: Henk Shang, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Tyson Kim, MD, PhD)

Findings: The research team made significant progress in developing transscleral imaging and analytical methods to study changes in blood vessels within a genetic model of retinitis pigmentosa. Their findings revealed significant shrinking of blood vessels and diminished blood flow in diseased eyes, prompting further investigation into the correlation between these changes and the progression of retinal degeneration.

 

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Project Title: Transcutaneous Orbicularis Oculi Stimulation for Temporary Eyelid Closure
Principal Investigators: Nailyn Rasool, MD (pictured) and Julie Schallhorn, MD, MS (not pictured here)

Findings: The principal investigators (PI‘s) successfully developed a prototype device in partnership with the Prototyping Lab at the Cleveland Veteran’s Administration Hospital. This prototype effectively induced temporary lid closure. The ability to induce lid closure will be extremely effective in patients with neurodegenerative conditions preventing lid closure as well as in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy. The goal is to prevent the development of thinning and ulceration of the cornea without permanent closure of the eyelid. The PI’s have also filed for intellectual property protection for this device design. Additionally, they established a connection with Israeli company Neurotrigger, who are working on a similar device to act as a blink pacer for patients with Bell’s palsy. Dr. Schallhorn joined their team as a consultant and aided in the development of plans to bring their device to the US, pending FDA approval.