AGEYE · Aging Eye
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2013-09-01 → 2017-08-31
- EU contribution
- €3,134,460
- Participants
- 7
- Scheme
- MC-ITN
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.
Results in brief
Aging Eye
The ageing has both structural and functional consequences for the human visual system; they are mainly related to the loss of the eye´s ability to focus at different distances (presbyopia) and to the crystalline lens’ loss of transparency (cataract). The conventional tools that are used most in the clinical practice to diagnose aging-eye-related conditions are based on subjective methods. Even though subjective tests provide important information, they may not be able to detect and describe the structural and functional changes occurring in the visual system due to age. The primary research objectives of Ageye was to advance in our understanding of how the eye’s structural and physiological changes occur with age, and to improve the therapeutic alternatives available to restore those visual capabilities that are affected by ageing. We investigated how the visual system responses to different stimuli and combining this information and imaging data of the crystalline lens, we linked the theories of how ageing influences aberrations to the known anatomical changes in the ageing eye. Furthermore, we developed new systems for modelling the anterior surface of the eye and to more accurately identify the position of some ocular structures than this is in done in traditional imaging techniques. In addition, we investigated what complaints expressed by the patients are caused by factors relating to aging of the eye, whether they can be (objectively) measured and correlated to complaints expressed by patients. The partners of the consortium shared their experience and their know-how in the therapeutic solutions for cataract and presbyopia (contact and intraocular lenses). We got a deep understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of the solutions that are currently available for cataract pathology and for presbyopia compensation. In addition, we worked on theoretical and mathematical models to improve the design of contact and intraocular lenses. With all this information, some new designs of ocular prosthesis have been studied to improve adult eye’s visual capabilities that have been affected by the ageing process. As a result of Ageye 40 papers have been published in international peer review journals, and more than 80 communications have been presented during various international meetings. Apart from the important scientific advances, the project had a huge impact on the career of the students trained within the network. The students have been or will soon be awarded their PhD titles, and most of them found working positions within months after finishing their respective Ageye projects. In conclusion, the Ageing Eye ITN has provided new knowledge in the ocular ageing field and trained new scientist that will contribute to improve the quality of life of older people. AGEYE website: http://www.ageye.eu/
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
AGEYE is a coherent training and career development platform for the training and career development of 12 young researchers in Vision Sciences. It aims to structure the collaboration in research and training between 5 leading academic centres in Europe, bringing together a new combination of in-depth expertise from 4 countries. Furthermore, to strengthen the contact with the industrial world, the network has the following associate partners: 2 large companies specialized in contact and intraocular lens design and manufacture, 1 SME that provides advanced ophthalmic devices for eye imaging, refractive diagnosis and 1 large company of hospitals. It places emphasis in experience-based training through cross-disciplinary research projects that will analyse, using state-of-the-art technology, how the young eye’s crystalline lens works. This information will make it possible to improve the diagnostic tools that are used for cataract and presbyopia. This, in its turn, will contribute to the development and the improvement of therapeutic solutions capable of restoring the adult eye’s visual function back to young eye’s levels. AGEYE will provide to 10 early-stage and 2 experienced researchers: (1) state-of-the-art concepts and leading-edge techniques essential to study ageing eye via the research projects, courses, and scientific exchanges within and beyond the network; (2) essential career-management skills via courses and practical activities aimed to develop their organisational, management, and networking skills; (3) an understanding of the impact of research results for the private sector and an insight of the enterprise world via exchanges and visits to the industrial partners; (4) new possibilities of career development via professional contacts in academia and industry. The long-term synergy among AGEYE partners, which are already leaders in their specific domains, will structure the European research and training capabilities in Vision Sciences""
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA · ValenciaCoordinatorSpain
- ALCON MANAGEMENT SA · COINTRINCountry levelSwitzerland
- IMAGINE EYES SA · ORSAYFrance
- POLITECHNIKA WROCLAWSKA · WroclawPoland
- STICHTING OOGZIEKENHUIS ROTTERDAM · RotterdamNetherlands
- THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · ManchesterUnited Kingdom
- UNIVERSIDAD DE MURCIA · MurciaSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union