Using smartphones to screen for eye diseases in rural India
Official title: Smartphone-based community screening for eye disease in rural India
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11138331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a smartphone app that helps community health workers in rural India check for eye problems like cataracts, making it easier for people to get the care they need without having to travel far or spend a lot of money.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $306,425 |
| NIH project number | 4R33EY034343-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in rural areas of India who are at risk for anterior eye diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in urban areas or those who do not have access to community health workers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a smartphone-based platform that allows community health workers to screen for anterior eye diseases, such as cataracts and corneal opacities, in rural areas of India. By leveraging mobile health technology, the project aims to overcome barriers such as limited access to trained ophthalmologists and the high costs associated with traditional eye screenings. The approach involves iterative prototyping and user feedback to ensure the device is effective and user-friendly for community health workers. The goal is to improve early diagnosis and referral processes for eye diseases in underserved populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance access to eye care and reduce the prevalence of blindness in rural communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using mobile health technology for screening in low-resource settings, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shekhawat, Nakul — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Shekhawat, Nakul
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.