IBIMOS

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

01/01/2026 to 31/12/2029

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 signalling 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.