Community Eye Connect: Using smart tools to boost follow-up after positive diabetic retinopathy screening
Official title: Community Eye Connect (CEC) Trial: Using health information technology to improve follow-up after positive diabetic retinopathy screening for Community Health Center patients
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11340066 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-level health IT program helps people with diabetes at community health centers in Utah keep their eye care appointments after a positive retinopathy screening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $759,312 |
| NIH project number | 1U01EY038692-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340066 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who received a positive tele-retinal screening and receive care at participating community health centers in Utah.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have access to the participating health centers or who do not rely on tele-retinal screening may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
If you have diabetes and receive a positive tele-retinal screening result, this project will test how a layered digital approach can remind, guide, and connect you with follow-up eye care. The trial uses health information technology to support patients, clinics, and care teams to improve appointment completion. By partnering with community health centers in Utah, the study aims to understand what works best to ensure timely treatment and prevent vision loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lead to more people getting the treatment they need to prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous telemedicine efforts improved screening rates, but follow-up completion after a positive result remains a challenge; this study tests a comprehensive follow-up approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stagg, Brian — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Stagg, Brian
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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.