Using smartphones to improve eye health monitoring for trachoma in children
Official title: Integrating smartphone photography for trachoma, smartphone visual acuity assessment, and mobile autorefraction to enhance community-based public health monitoring
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11094160 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way for community health workers to check for trachoma, a condition that can cause blindness, using smartphones to take pictures and assess vision, making it easier to help people in underserved areas like Peru.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $79,960 |
| NIH project number | 3R33EY033690-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094160 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old living in areas where trachoma is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in regions affected by trachoma or who are over the age of 11 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing public health monitoring for trachoma, a leading cause of blindness, by integrating smartphone photography and visual acuity assessments into existing data collection platforms. The approach allows community health workers with minimal clinical experience to conduct eye examinations and diagnose trachoma remotely. By developing user-friendly smartphone modules, the project aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health surveys in underserved areas, particularly in Peru. The study will assess the feasibility of this technology in real-world settings, ensuring it meets the needs of local communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and accessible eye health monitoring, ultimately reducing the incidence of trachoma-related blindness in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using mobile technology for health monitoring, indicating that this approach could be effective.
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.