Advanced multi-functional in vivo retinal imaging for ocular oncology

Ophthalmic imaging plays a crucial role in the evaluation, follow-up, and treatment decision-making in ocular oncology. This critical role is even more prominent when dealing with the early-stage choroidal melanoma or amelanotic tumor patients, in which diagnostic uncertainty is especially prevalent. This is due to the significant overlap in the clinical and imaging findings of benign and malignant choroidal tumors. Current imaging modalities are not helpful in reliably differentiating the malignant features in suspicious choroidal lesions and often require long-term serial follow-up that places a significant burden on patients and providers. Recent studies have shown that melanin alternation in the choroid is correlated to the malignancy and metastasis potential in choroidal tumor patients. The main goal of my research is to develop a novel high-resolution, molecular-specific clinical ophthalmic imaging system to visualize and quantify the melanin contents in choroidal tumor. This research outcome will provide important diagnostic clues in the evaluation of choroidal tumors, facilitating early non-invasive identification of high-risk features of malignancy.