Using photographs of the eye to monitor trachoma in children
Official title: Developing methods for the use of conjunctival photographs for trachoma monitoring
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10867161 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pictures of the eye can help doctors keep track of trachoma, a disease that can cause blindness, especially in young kids, by analyzing thousands of photos from communities in Ethiopia and Peru to make sure health workers can spot the disease accurately and help eliminate it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $450,874 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY036022-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867161 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-9 years living in areas where trachoma is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 9 years or those living in regions without trachoma will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how conjunctival photographs can be used to monitor trachoma, a leading cause of blindness, particularly in children aged 0-9 years. By analyzing over 20,000 photographs collected from communities in Ethiopia and Peru, the study aims to establish effective methods for grading these images to improve the accuracy of trachoma assessments. The goal is to enhance the training of health workers and ensure reliable identification of trachoma cases, which is crucial for public health strategies aimed at eliminating this disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate monitoring and control of trachoma, ultimately reducing the risk of blindness in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using photographic methods for disease monitoring, suggesting that this approach could be effective for trachoma as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keenan, Jeremy David — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Keenan, Jeremy David
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.