USU Researchers Develop Device to Study Early Stages of Age-Related Vision Loss

Researchers at Utah State University are working to gain a deeper understanding of age-related macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults.

Elizabeth Vargis, an associate professor in the Biological Engineering Department, and graduate researcher Chase Paterson have engineered a novel, custom device that could provide new insights into both the progression of age-related macular degeneration and the health of other organs.

One characteristic of the disease involves strain on a crucial layer of the retina known as the retinal pigment epithelium. This strain can be caused by physical factors such as leaky blood vessels or waste buildup, which place stress on the eye. It is not fully understood how this stress affects the function of cells in the retinal pigment epithelium, because most research models apply excessive strain, representing only the later stages of the disease.

“Creating physical models to mimic early changes is key to understanding how diseases start and develop in humans,” Vargis said. “These models do not rely on animals and help us study the first signs of disease, which can lead to new treatments.”

The team’s findings, published in the journal Lab on a Chip, revealed that their engineered device allows for controlled, low levels of localized radial strain. This level of strain more accurately mimics the conditions seen during aging or in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration.

Eyes obtained from a butcher shop were used following the protocol developed by the research group. Their results indicate that the low levels of strain applied do not immediately cause harmful blood vessel growth. However, it does alter gene activity, notably reducing amyloid precursor protein levels. This suggests that amyloid precursor protein could play a role in developing treatments for diseases like age-related macular degeneration.

This research was made possible through the support of the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the BrightFocus Foundation and Utah State University’s School of Graduate Studies.