Automated Ulcer Analysis to Quickly ID Eye Infections
Official title: Automated Quantitative Ulcer Analysis (AQUA): Diagnosing Organism Types
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11394832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinician-facing tool will use a fast, low-cost algorithm to identify the type of organism causing microbial keratitis to guide treatment at first presentation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $628,401 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036418-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients presenting with suspected microbial keratitis (MK) in clinical care settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-MK eye conditions or where the algorithm is not applicable may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create an easy-to-use AQUA algorithm and a small decision tool that helps eye doctors quickly decide the right treatment for corneal infections. It uses data from corneal ulcers to classify organism types and provide actionable results at the point of care. The approach builds on preliminary data showing the algorithm’s promising performance and plans to validate it in real-world clinical settings. If successful, it could streamline decision-making and reduce vision loss from MK.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could help clinicians choose faster, more accurate treatments, potentially reducing vision loss from corneal infections.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data support the AQUA algorithm’s performance, suggesting potential for real-world benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woodward, Maria Anneke — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Woodward, Maria Anneke
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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.