Michigan Eye Health Screening with Telemedicine
DP24-081 Michigan Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT) Program: A Pragmatic Randomized Trial
This project aims to help more people, especially those from minority groups and with lower incomes, get screened for glaucoma and other eye conditions using telemedicine at local health centers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176676 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with glaucoma don't know they have it, especially those in underserved communities. This project will bring eye health screenings directly to local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) where patients already receive primary care. Instead of traveling to a university hospital, patients will have digital eye data captured by local technicians. Eye doctors at the FQHCs will then use telemedicine to review this data and guide patients to the right follow-up care, making it easier to get diagnosed and treated early.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals receiving primary care at participating Federally Qualified Health Centers in Michigan, particularly those from Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American communities, and those with lower incomes.
Not a fit: Patients who already receive regular eye care or do not attend participating FQHCs may not directly benefit from this specific screening program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly increase early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and other eye diseases for high-risk populations, preventing vision loss.
How similar studies have performed: Telemedicine protocols have shown success in identifying eye diseases in high-risk communities when managed by academic medical centers, and this project adapts that approach for local health centers.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Newman-Casey, Paula Anne — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Newman-Casey, Paula Anne
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 below.