Re-animation of the eye with neodymium actuation system

Partial ophthalmoplegia due to a single cranial nerve palsy are common with an estimated 700,000 cases in the US and 15,000 new cases annually in the VA, with the most common causes being stroke and diabetes. There can also be bidirectional and total ophthalmoplegia due to multiple cranial nerve palsies, for which there is currently no effective treatment. Unresolvable diplopia is common in ophthalmoplegias, resulting in visual confusion, increased risk for falls, and reduced quality of life on par with glaucoma and AMD. Ophthalmoplegias affect many aging Veterans with neurological diseases and younger Veterans with severe polytrauma, making them a priority for VA research. We propose to reanimate the eye in ophthalmoplegias by attaching a NdFeB magnet to the eye and actuating the ocular magnet with a larger magnet fixed externally, on an eyewear temple between the ear and the eye. NdFeB are quite powerful and widely available, as they are commonly used in cell phones and toys, and therefore the safety profile is well-established. In unidirectional cases, such as 6th nerve palsy, a static magnetic force is sufficient and does not require a power source. In bidirectional or total ophthalmoplegias, a small motor will rotate the spectacle magnet to control the eye movements. Prior studies have already made calculations suggesting NdFeB actuation of the eye is possible at clinically feasible component sizes and separations, but the approach has never been pursued beyond this step. This project will move the field forward by creating a realistic eye model, design and optimizing a prototype system, and acquiring feasibility data for methods of fixing the ocular magnet 1) surgically, and 2) non-invasively via a magnetic scleral contact lens. Project Number: 1I21RX005448-01 | Fiscal Year: 2025 | NIH Institute/Center: Veterans Affairs (VA) | Principal Investigator: Kevin Houston | Institution: NORTHAMPTON VA MEDICAL CENTER, LEEDS, MA | Activity Code: I21 | Study Section: Rehabilitation Research and Development SPiRE Program[RRDS] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11055150