Long-term eye problems after Ebola: learning why they happen and how to help
Official title: Long-term ocular sequelae and biological determinants of post-acute Ebola virus disease
Funded at Northern California Institute/res/edu · NIH-11372090 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study eye problems that appear years after Ebola survivors, to understand causes and find ways to prevent or treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern California Institute/res/edu NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,290,537 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EY038042-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372090 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who survived Ebola virus disease and are experiencing or at risk for ocular post-acute sequelae.
✕Less likely to help
People without ocular symptoms after Ebola or without the ability to participate in long-term follow-up may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows people who survived Ebola to track ocular issues that show up years later, and to explore the biology behind these eye problems. It uses long-term follow-up, eye exams, and analysis of blood and tissue samples to connect symptoms with possible autoimmune and inflammatory processes. The goal is to uncover biomarkers and mechanisms that could lead to better treatments and prevent vision loss in survivors. Participants may have periodic visits over several years to monitor eye health and immune-related changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better prevention, earlier diagnosis, and targeted therapies for eye-related problems in Ebola survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous long-term cohorts have provided insights into PASE, but detailed ocular immune biomarkers are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern California Institute/res/edu
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kelly, John Daniel — Northern California Institute/res/edu
- Study coordinator: Kelly, John Daniel
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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.