AI that reads eye photos to screen for glaucoma
Validation and Implementation of an Artificial Intelligence Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Model for Glaucoma Screening
This project uses an AI that reads simple eye photos to estimate nerve damage and help find glaucoma in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190910 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will train a deep-learning model to predict quantitative OCT measures of nerve fiber layer thickness from routine fundus (retinal) photographs. They will compare the AI’s predictions to standard spectral-domain OCT results to check how closely the AI matches clinical measurements. The work includes validating the AI across diverse patient photos and testing its use in low-cost or teleophthalmology screening settings. If successful, the team will work on implementing the tool in clinics to expand access to glaucoma screening.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who are at risk for glaucoma or who would benefit from screening—such as those with a family history, high eye pressure, or limited access to eye specialists—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, those with already-diagnosed advanced glaucoma, or patients whose eye photos are unusable due to cataract or other media opacities may not receive benefit from the screening tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable low-cost, widely available screening that detects glaucoma earlier and helps prevent vision loss.
How similar studies have performed: Early work and preliminary results showed strong agreement between the M2M AI predictions and OCT measurements, indicating promise though larger validation and real-world implementation remain novel.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Medeiros, Felipe — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Medeiros, Felipe
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 below.