Opto-Biomechanical Eye Research Network

Project Information

OBERON

Grant agreement ID: 956720

DOI

10.3030/956720

Project closed

EC signature date 7 September 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 28 February 2025

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 3 881 175,48

EU contribution

€ 3 881 175,48

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - OBERON (Opto-Biomechanical Eye Research Network)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

OBERON is an European collaboration that brings together a group of scientists that work on the optics and biomechanics of the eye, cover a broad range of disciplines and skills and aims to create a unique, biologically viable and physiologically relevant modelling platform describing the interactions between ocular mechanical properties, optics and geometry in a way adaptable to a wide range of ocular conditions.

Bellow there is a brief description of how each specific goal has been addressed in the project:

● Create a research network where a group of talented ESRs can train, work together and exchange ideas with European experts on topics related to visual optics and biomechanics.
The possibility of doing secondments at each other's host institution and at non-academic institutions also enriched the scientific, cultural, intersectoral and social experience in the project.

● Improve fundamental knowledge on unsolved topics of visual optics and biomechanics.
By the end of final reportin 46 peer-review articles have been published. They have provided fundamental insights into the nature of the anatomical and mechanical aspects of the eye and how such properties impact on the optical characteristics of its lenses and the organ as an image formation structure.

● Create the opto-biomechanical model as a platform for future analyses.
Several modelling platforms have been built during this period that have been used and will be used in the future for optical and biomechanical modelling of the human eye.

● Expand this platform to incorporate the influences of ageing, accommodation, select pathologies (e.g. keratoconus), and responses to therapies (e.g. cross-linking, refractive surgery, intraocular lens implantation, etc.).
The ageing and other physiological effects, crystalline lens and accommodation structure and function, refractive surgery and keratoconus, intraocular lens implantation, peripheral imaging, emmetropisation and refractive error development.

● Develop innovative applications in corneal and cataract surgery, highlighting the platform’s strength.
Collaborative work with non-academic partners has been developed for application of the models in corneal therapeutic treatments. During the closing meeting at the facilities of one of the non-academic partners the results of several projects highlighted the intersection with strategic areas of development of the companies in the field of optical devices and instrumentation.

● Ensure that Europe cements its place as a world leader in the field of visual optics and eye modelling.
The fundamental knowledge on the anatomy, structure and function, and the applications based on model development to test present and future solutions for those clinical conditions strengths the role of world-leading companies included in the network while the research laboratories involved in this project are now in a better position to continue evolving the knowledge in the field allowing Europe to keep up in this competitive field.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Throughout the project, substantial progress was made both in scientific output and in the training and career development of the Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs). The collaborative and multidisciplinary environment provided ESRs with a unique platform to engage in advanced research, including biomechanics, optics, and computational modelling applied to ocular science. The research resulted in 46 peer-reviewed publications, multiple conference presentations, and one patent application, illustrating both the high quality and the practical relevance of the scientific work developed.

ESRs benefitted from a wide range of training opportunities, including participation in international conferences. The structured mobility across institutions and countries allowed them to build extensive professional networks, develop intercultural skills, and gain exposure to both academic and non-academic research environments.

A significant scientific achievement was the development of an innovative opto-biomechanical eye model, which led to the filing of a patent. This technology integrates biomechanical and optical parameters to generate highly individualized "virtual twin" models of the eye, holding considerable potential for personalized diagnostics and treatment planning in ophthalmology. The exploitation of this intellectual property is ongoing, supported by technology transfer activities.

Beyond academia, several industry partners engaged actively with the network, offering secondments and collaborative research projects. The participation of major ophthalmic companies and the inclusion of new non-academic partners during the project’s implementation phase demonstrate strong industry interest and the applied value of the knowledge generated.

The comprehensive training program also fostered the ESRs’ personal and professional development, equipping them with not only advanced scientific skills but also communication, management, and leadership abilities. The project stands as a model of how interdisciplinary, international networks can foster scientific excellence while preparing young researchers for impactful careers across academia, healthcare, and industry.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The collaborative research network has achieved substantial advances in ocular science, significantly pushing the boundaries beyond the current state of the art. Across 15 individual projects, researchers have developed highly detailed biomechanical and optical models of the eye, improving our understanding of accommodation, presbyopia, myopia, and surgical outcomes.

Key breakthroughs include novel finite element models that simulate the dynamic behaviour of the crystalline lens and its age-related changes, providing new insights into presbyopia mechanisms and enabling more precise, patient-specific treatment strategies. Innovative optical coherence elastography techniques have delivered unprecedented data on the mechanical properties of ocular tissues, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and informing future interventions.

In eye growth and refractive error modelling, advanced computational frameworks integrating genetics, environmental factors, and feedback control have deepened our understanding of myopia development, paving the way for predictive, personalized myopia management. Sophisticated statistical models of wavefront aberrations and peripheral optics now allow for more accurate design and testing of corrective lenses and intraocular devices.

On the clinical application side, the consortium has developed predictive tools for personalized corneal refractive surgery, including PRK, LASIK, and SMILE, minimizing risks and improving outcomes. New AI-enhanced models enable real-time assessment of corneal biomechanics, facilitating earlier detection of conditions like keratoconus. Furthermore, models simulating intraocular lens stability post-cataract surgery offer valuable insights to optimize surgical planning and postoperative care.

The anticipated results by project completion include validated predictive models, personalized diagnostic tools, and improved surgical planning frameworks. Socio-economically, these innovations promise safer, more effective treatments, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced quality of life for millions affected by visual impairments, with broader societal benefits through improved productivity and well-being.

Dimensions of the eye from pre-natal to adulthood period