Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Teleophthalmology for Glaucoma Screening
Official title: Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Teleophthalmology for Glaucoma Screening: A Randomized Controlled Trial (GATES)
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11423232 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large trial tests an AI-powered teleophthalmology platform to screen for glaucoma and help guide care, with patients at risk of vision loss in mind.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,406,089 |
| NIH project number | 1UG1EY039184-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423232 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for glaucoma who have limited access to in-person ophthalmology visits and are enrolled in the participating teleophthalmology program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk for glaucoma or those not engaged in teleophthalmology services may not benefit.
What this research studies
Glaucoma causes irreversible vision loss and many people remain undiagnosed, so this project tests an AI-enabled teleophthalmology system to screen and monitor at-risk patients outside traditional clinic visits. The study will compare how the AI-assisted telehealth approach performs in detecting glaucoma and managing referrals versus standard care. Participants will receive remote eye imaging, AI-generated assessments, and follow-up plans to keep track of eye health over time. Outcomes will include diagnostic accuracy, referral efficiency, and potential improvements in access to care for underserved populations. The trial is conducted across multiple sites in the Los Angeles area in collaboration with USC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve early glaucoma detection, save vision, and make eye care more accessible and cost-effective.
How similar studies have gone: Previous teleophthalmology programs have shown promise, and AI can potentially improve accuracy and efficiency, though real-world long-term outcomes are still being studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Benjamin Y. — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Xu, Benjamin Y.
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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.