Mobile eye care strategy to protect vision for dialysis patients
Official title: Mobile Strategy for Improving Eye Health of Kidney Patients Treated with Dialysis (SIGHT)
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11340995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new program brings eye evaluations and coordinated eye care directly to dialysis units to help people with kidney failure keep their vision healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,383,760 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY038908-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic kidney failure on dialysis who have or are at risk for vision-threatening eye diseases and are treated in community dialysis centers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not exposed to the enhanced eye-care workflow or who do not have accessible ophthalmology follow-up may not see benefit.
What this research studies
People receiving dialysis often miss eye exams because of transportation and fatigue. This project tests a multi-level approach that includes mobile eye evaluations in dialysis centers, education for patients and staff, better coordination between nephrologists and ophthalmologists, and patient support to improve eye health outcomes. Over three years, 19 dialysis units with about 1,100 patients will be randomized to receive this strategy or usual care, measuring how well eye conditions are diagnosed and treated in real-world settings. The study uses a cluster design and implementation science frameworks to guide changes in clinic workflows and patient engagement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience earlier detection and treatment of eye diseases, reducing vision loss and improving overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous implementation efforts in other settings suggest that integrating eye care into dialysis visits can improve access and timely treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Boer, Ian H — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: De Boer, Ian H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How dialysis facility growth affects care for people with end-stage kidney disease
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-
MOVE Trial: Tailored motivational support to help African Americans stick with dialysis
A study tests a customized motivational interviewing approach to help African American dialysis patients stay adherent to their treatment, aiming to reduce hospitalizations and improve health.
-
Blood sugar monitoring for people on maintenance dialysis
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-
Quality of life for people on home dialysis and their family caregivers
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Patient-provider conversations and unequal access to home dialysis and kidney transplant
This project explores how conversations between doctors and patients affect why some Black and Hispanic people with kidney disease don’t get home dialysis or preemptive kidney transplants as often as White or Asian patients.
-
CHOOSE Home: Using community health workers to boost home dialysis and social care in CKD
A real-world trial tests adding community health workers to an interdisciplinary CKD clinic to help patients access home dialysis options.
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.