Using your health record and AI to find and treat anxiety and depression in people with glaucoma
Development of a program to assess and treat distress in glaucoma patients using an automated EHR-derived AI algorithm
This project uses an automated AI tool that reads electronic health record information to find and offer help for anxiety and depression in people with glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307009 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a program that uses an AI algorithm trained on electronic health record data to flag patients with possible anxiety or depression related to glaucoma. When the system flags someone, clinics will offer brief screening questionnaires and connect patients to counseling, behavior-based therapies, or referrals and active follow-up. The team will monitor whether treating distress improves medication adherence, clinic follow-up, quality of life, and vision-related outcomes over time. The program will be piloted and refined within participating Duke clinics using patient feedback.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with glaucoma who receive care at participating Duke University eye clinics or affiliated sites and have records in the health system are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without glaucoma, patients not seen in the participating health system, or those already in active psychiatric treatment may not receive direct benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could make it easier for glaucoma patients to get timely mental health support, which may improve adherence, follow-up, quality of life, and possibly vision outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Routine distress screening has improved referrals and outcomes in fields like oncology, but using an EHR-derived AI system specifically for glaucoma is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berchuck, Samuel Isaac — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Berchuck, Samuel Isaac
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.