AI-powered fundus imaging to screen for type 2 diabetes
Official title: AI-enabled mobile-based fundus imaging for diabetes screening
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11619352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile AI tool uses eye images to help screen adults for type 2 diabetes in clinics or communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $31,098 |
| NIH project number | 3R21TW013360-01S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11619352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who are undergoing screening or screening-level eye imaging in clinics or community settings.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21 years old or those without access to retinal imaging technologies may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project builds on prior work showing that eye scans captured with a smartphone and analyzed by AI can indicate diabetes risk. It will develop and test software that detects type 2 diabetes from retinal images, integrated with an existing mobile fundus camera system already used for eye disease screening. The study will include validation in clinical and field settings, including low-resource areas in the US and India. The goal is a fast, non-invasive screening option that can reach people who might not have regular blood tests. Outcomes will focus on diagnostic performance, usability, and real-world feasibility for broad adoption.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could enable quick, non-invasive diabetes screening in primary care and community settings, helping people start care sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown good accuracy for detecting diabetes using AI analysis of retinal images.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weber, Mary Beth — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Weber, Mary Beth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.