Research
NECO’s areas of research are broad and have the potential to impact a global community. As we further our collective understanding of the eye, we’re changing the way clinicians around the world examine, diagnose, and treat patients.
Research at NECO is multidisciplinary. Ongoing studies employ a variety of technical approaches, ranging from behavioral and psychophysical to physiological, anatomical and biochemical. This research is broadly collaborative, both inside and outside of NECO.
The expertise of the research faculty has led to significant external funding of research that has contributed to new knowledge. Our multidisciplinary approach to research has focused on issues of clinical importance in research.
Areas of Focus
The expertise at NECO spans a wide range of interests in vision science, biomedical science and disease, clinical research, and optometry education.
Myopia Prevention & Treatment
Dr. Nickla’s research aims to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of myopia, with emphasis on how altered ocular circadian rhythms play a role. She does this work with the chicken animal model, the most studied model for work on emmetropization.
Recent evidence indicates that moderate levels of blue light are sufficient to suppress the nighttime rise in serum melatonin in humans, suggesting that luminous screens may be deleterious to sleep cycles and to other functions. Little is known however, about the effects of exposures to blue light on ocular physiology. In this paper it is testing about the effects of transient blue light exposures of various illuminances on ocular growth rates and ocular rhythms in chicks.
Low Vision Rehabilitation
NECO researchers helped develop novel approaches to managing low vision, including mobile apps and telehealth. Our low vision researchers also test emerging rehabilitative technology.
Of note: Dr. Nicole Ross has created mobile apps that assist older low vision patients through various methods and levels of treatment to improve independence and community engagement.
Neuroscience
The NECO researchers evaluated retinal responses to different types and magnitudes of simulated optical blur presented at specific retinal eccentricities using naturalistic images.
Digitally computed blur was applied to the entire image, or on an area outside the central 6 degrees or 12 degrees of retinal eccentricity.
Other areas of significant research efforts include:
- Electrophysiology and color vision
- Visual optics
- Topical drug delivery for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
- The relationship between distance perception and oculomotor control
Q&As with Research Faculty
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Dr. Ji-Chang He
Gradient refractive index of the crystalline lens, and the optical and biometrical mechanisms underlying myopia development.
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Dr. Debora Nickla
Visual regulation of eye growth with the chicken model, pharmacological questions, as well as influences of visual parameters on ocular rhythms.
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Dr. Thanasis Panorgias
Combining recording the eye movements and the electrical signals that are being generated by the retina.
Research Highlights
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8,500
Square feet
Devoted to labs and other research-specific activities.
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1994
Myopia Research Center established
NECO researchers received the first NIH sponsored grant studying myopia.
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13
Research Labs
Our research labs produce groundbreaking findings through collaboration with students and researchers from around the world.
A Closer Look
Faculty Research Labs
Take a closer look at the faculty labs that produce and explore key areas of research in the field.
Summer Research Program
The program is designed for first year students from NECO to gain fellowship support from a research training grant (T35) from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
College Research Statement
Get in Touch
To learn more about our research faculty, facilities, and initiatives, contact our internal research and/or graduate program offices.
