An app that uses AI to help detect eye misalignment in children and adults.
Official title: iLIGN - Artificial Intelligence Driven Strabismus Pre-Screening System
Funded at Ther-Ai LLC · NIH-10921579 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new smartphone app called iLIGN that helps anyone easily check for strabismus, a condition where the eyes aren't aligned, so that people can get early help and avoid future vision problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ther-Ai LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kissimmee, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $295,766 |
| NIH project number | 1R43EY035599-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10921579 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults who may exhibit signs of strabismus or have a family history of the condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have strabismus or related ocular misalignment issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a smartphone application called iLIGN that utilizes artificial intelligence to quickly and accurately screen for strabismus, a condition where the eyes are not properly aligned. The app is designed to be user-friendly, allowing individuals without specialized training to perform the screening. By making this technology accessible, the goal is to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of strabismus, which can prevent long-term vision problems and improve quality of life. The app will be non-invasive and cost-effective, making it suitable for widespread use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and treatment of strabismus, reducing the risk of permanent vision loss and improving overall visual health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that AI-driven diagnostic tools can effectively improve screening processes in various medical fields, suggesting a promising potential for this approach in strabismus detection.
Where this research is happening
-
Ther-Ai LLC
Kissimmee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaikh, Saad — Ther-Ai LLC
- Study coordinator: Shaikh, Saad
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.