Research Topics of the MReye group | MReye research group

Ocular Oncology Research

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Until recently, MRI was scarcely used in care for patients with eye tumours. In the last years, we have been one of the pioneers in bringing ocular MRI to the clinic and proving its added value. Within our group we have developed high resolution scan protocols of the eye, which include a well-adjusted combination of dedicated hardware, such as an eye coil, and acquisition protocols that are robust against eye motion.

While we continue further tailoring these protocols for new applications, such as the eye lids, part of these technologies have been incorporated into clinical scanners. Together with our clinical partners, we have extensively studied the radiological characteristics of uveal melanoma, the most common primary eye tumour in the Netherlands. Currently, we are extending these analyses to other types of eye tumours, while we are also exploring its potential use as an early marker of therapy response and as a prognostic marker.

Featured publications

Ocular Proton Therapy and MRI-based Planning

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Conventionally ocular proton therapy is planned using a mathematical eye and tumour model, based on 2D ultrasound measurements and tantalum clips which are sutured to the eye wall. With our high resolution MR-images of the eye, we are working on an image-based form of planning, enabling a more conformal treatment, thereby sparing more of the patient’s vision. This, however, raises the bar on the accuracy and consistency of our methods, as we have to guarantee the high level of 98% of local control.

Together with our partners at the Holland Proton Therapy Center in Delft, we are furthermore developing the technology for clipless ocular proton therapy, which will significantly lower the burden and costs of this treatment. Through all these developments radiation oncologists will have a much better control over which part of the eyes will be irradiated and which parts will be spared. Together with the patient’s advocacy groups Stichting Melanoom, we are performing studies to assess how this added flexibility can be used to better include the patient’s preferences in the treatment planning.

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Visual Optics and Refractive Surgery Research

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

With our MRI protocols, we can accurately determine the 3D shape of the eye. This allows us to make patient-specific eye models which we can use to determine various optical characteristics of the eye through ray tracing simulations. When we used these techniques to study the eyes of patients with Negative Dysphotopsia, we discovered that their burdensome loss of peripheral vision was caused by light rays missing the edge of the implanted lens.

We are currently extending these techniques to accurately correlate the location on fundus photographs to the 3D location of the retina, enabling a more accurate use of these images for radiotherapy planning. To perform these simulations in an accurate and reproducible way, we have developed ZOSPy, an open source Python-based interface to OpticStudio.

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Other Ocular Imaging Applications

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

In addition to our ocular MRI research, we explore the application of our methods for other body parts and assist in various other projects within the Gorter Center. These projects include the studying the pathophysiology of the extra-ocular muscles in Myasthenia Gravis patients, improving the quantification of MRI-sequences and improving the calibration of ophthalmic instrumentation.

Featured publications

Funding and Industry Collaborations

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Our research is primarily funded by the Dutch Research Council and various patient’s associations. In addition to these peer-reviewed grants, we receive research support from various companies. These collaborations with industrial partners form an important channel of knowledge dissemination, as they provide an effective means to translate our scientific findings to clinical care.

Funding agencies

Dutch Cancer Society

Dutch Research Council

European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons

Landelijke Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden

Het Oogfonds

Industrial collaborations

Holland Proton Therapy Center

Philips Healthcare

MacroMedics

RaySearch Laboratories

Varian

MedCom

Trident