Our goal is to develop a commercial instrument for measuring and characterizing intrinsic fluorescence (autofluorescence) in the retina. This instrument will make it possible to broaden the research connecting lipofuscin-the dominant retinal fluorophore-with aging, age related macular degeneration (AMD), and several juvenile retinal degenerations. Lipofuscin also is thought to reflect oxidative damage to the retina and its quantification would provide a cumulative index of oxidative damage to the retina. It will also be possible to measure macular pigment which is thought to have a protective role in ocular physiology. We see a market for such a device among retinal researchers and pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, an instrument designed specifically for retinal spectrofluorometry will allow the study of other retinal fluorophores (collagen, drusen, flavi proteins) as well as open the possibility of quantitative studies using exogenous fluorescent markers (fluorescein, IDG, BPD, etc). Long term, we see the possibility that this technology could be used to screen for risk for AMD, and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Proposed Commercial Applications

The

Proposed Commercial Applications

is as a research instrument designed to measure lipofuscin concentrations in selected areas of the retina.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44EY012184-03
Application #
6179021
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-VISB (02))
Program Officer
Dudley, Peter A
Project Start
1998-04-15
Project End
2004-08-31
Budget Start
2000-09-01
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$369,901
Indirect Cost
Name
Ocumetrics, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
807960844
City
Mountain View
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94043