smartphones help kids see better in Africa
Official title: Overcome the barriers of vision care in Africa using smartphones
Funded at Schepens Eye Research Institute · NIH-11420804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A smartphone-based tool helps children in Africa measure vision errors so they can get eyeglasses more easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Schepens Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $357,118 |
| NIH project number | 5R33EY034345-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 in Africa who have or are at risk for uncorrected refractive error.
✕Less likely to help
Children without refractive errors or in areas without smartphone access may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to use a smartphone app with AI to measure refractive error in school-age children in Africa, making eye care more accessible where ophthalmology resources are scarce. The approach uses a simple, phone-only protocol that can be performed by lay people without specialized equipment, followed by field testing in Ethiopia to validate accuracy against standard measurements. The study leverages mobile health to address disparities in vision care and reduce barriers to obtaining corrective lenses. If successful, the app could enable large-scale screening and timely treatment, improving educational opportunities and daily life for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could dramatically increase access to vision screening and glasses for children in Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies showed the app could align with clinical measurements, but broader validation is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luo, Gang — Schepens Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Luo, Gang
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.