Precision Diagnostics Research

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Contact our Study Coordinator to participate

Studies are performed at the Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Vision Research Center, directly adjacent to the Byers Eye Institute at 2370 Watson Court in Palo Alto. For more information or to schedule a study visit, fill out this form, or call our Study Coordinator at (650) 725-9078.

Participant’s rights questions, contact 1-866-680-2906.

What are Precision Diagnostics?

Precision diagnostics are highly sensitive and detailed measurements of visual system structure and function. The goal is to improve our understanding of how vision works, and to develop better ways to diagnose eye diseases, to predict which patients are at risk of getting worse, and to determine whether patients’ current or novel treatments are working.

Advanced Retinal Imaging

We are testing a variety of new, non-invasive imaging methods to measure retina structure and metabolic stress. For example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) images reveal the layers and cells in the retina at high resolution.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables physicians and researchers to carefully examine the microscopic blood vessels in the retina, and determine whether there are changes associated with eye disease.

How it’s done

You will look into a table-top instrument that will take special scans of your retina. Each test takes about 10 minutes, and is very safe.

What we hope to learn

By using new, higher resolution instruments, we will be able to better image the parts of the retina that are damaged. By understanding which layers and cells of the retina are most vulnerable, we can plan new targeted treatments.

Next-generation Functional Testing

Visual field testing can now be performed with new test patterns that probe different and specific elements of vision that may decline in disease or show improvement in response to therapies.

How it’s done

You will wear a soft, stretchy cap with sensors that pick up your brainwave responses to special test stimuli. Easier than traditional visual field testing, all you do is look at the screen for 10 seconds at a time. This non-invasive test takes about 20 minutes.

What we hope to learn

By choosing what images you watch, we can test responses from different kinds of retinal cells and their connections to the brain. This will allow us to see what kinds of cells are most vulnerable in disease and possibly predict which patients are at higher risk of getting worse.

Stanford Ophthalmology Participating Clinicians