Developing a robotic system for safe eye examinations
Official title: NRI: Toward Safe and Reliable Robotic Eye Examinations
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11092710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a friendly robot that can give you a complete eye exam, including checking your glasses prescription, to make eye care easier and safer for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $386,739 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035106-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals requiring routine eye examinations, particularly those at risk for age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe mobility impairments or those unable to participate in a robotic examination setup may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a robotic system that can perform comprehensive eye examinations, including imaging of the cornea, lens, and retina, as well as measuring eyeglass prescriptions. The project aims to enhance access to preventive eye care while ensuring patient safety through advanced motion sensing and planning technologies. By integrating real-time human tracking with robotic capabilities, the study seeks to minimize risks associated with close human-robot interactions. The research will be conducted over three years, with specific aims to build the robotic instrument, enhance safety measures, and evaluate the system's reliability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more accessible eye examinations for patients, improving overall eye health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using robotic systems for medical examinations, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hauser, Kris — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Hauser, Kris
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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.