The Need

Myopia is rapidly increasing worldwide and is now recognized as a leading cause of irreversible vision impairment due to associated complications such as retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and structural eye changes. Despite this growing burden, clinicians lack practical tools to assess structural changes in the back of the eye, where many disease-driving processes occur. Existing imaging modalities either lack sufficient depth, are cost-prohibitive, or are not suitable for routine use, creating a significant gap in early detection, monitoring, and risk stratification.

The Technology

OSU engineers have developed a noninvasive imaging approach that enables volumetric visualization and quantitative assessment of deep ocular structures using an advanced ultrasound-based platform. The system integrates with existing clinical workflows and rapidly captures data that can be reconstructed into three-dimensional structural maps. These maps provide insights into spatial variations and structural features that are not accessible with conventional methods, supporting improved clinical decision-making and longitudinal monitoring without requiring specialized infrastructure.

Commercial Applications

• Ophthalmic imaging systems for myopia management and monitoring
• Diagnostic tools for glaucoma and retinal disease risk assessment
• Clinical research platforms for studying ocular structural changes
• Surgical planning and evaluation tools for posterior eye conditions

Benefits/Advantages

• Enables noninvasive, in vivo visualization of structures not accessible with standard optical imaging
• Compatible with existing ultrasound systems, facilitating clinical adoption
• Provides quantitative, spatially resolved information beyond conventional one-dimensional measurements
• Cost-effective alternative to advanced imaging modalities such as MRI