Using smartphones to photograph eye infections, check vision, and measure refraction in communities
Integrating smartphone photography for trachoma, smartphone visual acuity assessment, and mobile autorefraction to enhance community-based public health monitoring
This project uses smartphone photos, a simple vision test, and a mobile refraction tool to help find trachoma and vision problems in children and community members.
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 ID | NIH-11176853 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have community workers use a smartphone to photograph the inner eyelid (conjunctiva) so specialists can spot signs of trachoma remotely. The team will add photo-taking, a visual acuity test, and a mobile autorefraction module into the WHO Tropical Data app so workers can collect standardized images and vision data. Workers with limited clinical training will be taught to use the phone tools and upload information for remote expert review. The system will be piloted in remote community settings in Peru to see if it is practical, easy to use, and reliable in the field.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children in trachoma-endemic or remote communities (including ages 0–11) and other local residents who want a basic vision screening.
Not a fit: People who already have access to full clinical eye exams or who need specialized ophthalmic treatment are unlikely to receive direct medical benefit from this screening-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help catch trachoma and vision problems earlier and direct limited treatment resources to the communities that need them most.
How similar studies have performed: Previous telemedicine and smartphone vision tools have shown promise for screening, but integrating conjunctival photography into the Tropical Data platform and field-testing it in remote Peruvian communities is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- 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 below.