Using smartphones to screen for eye diseases in rural India
Smartphone-based community screening for eye disease in rural India
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 ID | NIH-11138331 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in rural areas of India who are at risk for anterior eye diseases.
Not a fit: Patients living in urban areas or those who do not have access to community health workers may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Baltimore, United States
- 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 below.