Imaging Ocular Anatomy and Blood Flow in Mouse Glaucoma

Glaucoma involves retinal ganglion cell death and progressive optic nerve damage associated with loss of visual function. High frequency ultrasound imaging allows longitudinal assessment of diseases using anatomical information obtained via B mode imaging and functional information such as blood flow velocity via Doppler imaging. Methodologies and tools have been developed for the analysis of glaucoma phenotypes in mouse eyes, including the role of blood vessels in the glaucoma disease process. This project will use ultrasound microimaging and micro computed tomography (microCT) to contribute to the goals of further understanding glaucoma disease processes. Dr. Foster will measure anatomical parameters such as anterior segment angle, and measure functional parameters such as blood flow in the DBA/2J mouse model of glaucoma through disease progression. He will utilize the characterization of the progressive glaucoma disease process to determine the role of proteins which regulate the stability of blood vessels in the glaucoma disease process. He will also utilize antibody staining to characterize which proteins are important for blood vessel stability in eyes with glaucoma as the disease progresses. By investigating eye anatomy and blood flow we may be able to determine the role of the ocular blood vessels in the glaucoma disease process.