Telemedicine plus in-person care for diabetic eye disease
Official title: A multi-level technology-enabled intervention to improve outcomes in patients with diabetic eye disease
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11344531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide eye hospital team is testing whether combining telemedicine with traditional eye exams can keep people with diabetic retinopathy healthier and reduce vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,009,558 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY039033-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11344531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetic retinopathy who can attend multiple primary care sites and are able to participate in telemedicine or in-person visits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unable to attend follow-up visits or those not receptive to telemedicine may receive little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project will compare hybrid telemedicine visits to conventional in-person visits for adults with diabetic retinopathy. Participants are randomized into four groups to see if adding care navigators and telemedicine improves care and outcomes over three years. The study uses testing and exams typical of eye care, delivered across multiple sites within an integrated program. Results will inform how best to deliver eye care to people who have trouble accessing in-person appointments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience easier access to timely eye care and better preservation of vision.
How similar studies have gone: Telemedicine in eye care shows promise but has not been definitively compared to exclusive in-person care in a large randomized trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Friedman, David S — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Friedman, David S
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.