Improving understanding and management of eye diseases using biobank data
Official title: Biobank phenotyping tools for improved understanding and management of eye diseases and disparities
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11171775 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your genes might be linked to eye diseases, especially for people of African descent, by combining genetic information with health records to help doctors better understand and manage these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $437,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036473-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11171775 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a family history of eye diseases, particularly those of African ancestry, as well as those diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a genetic predisposition to eye diseases or those not of African descent may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance our understanding of eye diseases by integrating genetic information with clinical data from electronic health records. By analyzing this combined data, researchers hope to uncover associations between genetic variants and various eye conditions, particularly those affecting individuals of African descent. The study will utilize advanced algorithms to create risk prediction models that can inform clinical management and identify new research avenues. This approach seeks to provide a more comprehensive view of eye health and disease mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnosis and management strategies for eye diseases, particularly for underserved populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized biobank data to uncover genetic associations with various diseases, indicating a promising potential for this approach in eye health.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padovani-Claudio, Dolly Ann — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Padovani-Claudio, Dolly Ann
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Biobank tools to better understand and manage eye diseases
A study to connect eye disease genetics with real-world health data to improve understanding and care for eye conditions.
-
Telehealth glaucoma screening for high-risk patients
A new telemedicine program will check for glaucoma in Black and Latino people at community clinics to catch and manage eye disease early.
-
Improving imaging and treatments for the retina, RPE, and choroid in macular degeneration
Researchers are developing high-resolution live imaging and targeted approaches to track and treat changes in the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid that lead to inherited and age-related macular degeneration.
-
Long-term safety and vision outcomes after immune-suppressing treatment for eye inflammation
This project looks at long-term health, cancer risk, and vision outcomes in people who received systemic immune-suppressing drugs for non-infectious eye inflammation.
-
New ways to use telehealth for finding and managing glaucoma and other serious eye conditions in people at higher risk
This project explores if using telemedicine can help find glaucoma and other serious eye problems earlier in Black and Latino individuals and those with limited access to eye care.
-
Using telehealth to detect and manage glaucoma in high-risk groups
This study is looking at how well telemedicine can help find glaucoma and other eye problems early in Black and Latino communities that may not have easy access to eye care, and it’s inviting people to take part in this important research.
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.