Using AI to prevent vision loss from diabetes in underserved communities
Official title: Multicenter National Parallel Cluster Randomized Controlled Superiority Trial Comparing an Artificial Intelligence-Based Screening Strategy to Usual Care for Improving Eye-Care Follow-Up Among Patients With Diabetes (AI-BRIDGE Trial)
Run by University of Wisconsin, Madison · NCT06763952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new AI program to see if it can help people with diabetes in underserved communities get better eye care and follow-up after screenings.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 22 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 6900 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Wisconsin, Madison Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Madison, Wisconsin) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 2030 |
| Study ends | May 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06763952 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults over 21 years old with type 1 or 2 diabetes, no known diabetic eye disease, and who have not had an eye exam in the past year.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have already been diagnosed with diabetic eye disease or those who have had an eye exam in the previous year may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence-based screening strategy called AI-BRIDGE to improve screening and follow-up care for diabetic eye disease in primary care clinics. The study employs a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design, where clinics transition from usual care to the AI-BRIDGE program in four steps. The primary objective is to compare follow-up rates for eye care among patients of different racial and ethnic backgrounds after being screened with AI-BRIDGE versus standard care. The trial aims to reduce disparities in diabetic eye disease screening and care among socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease, ultimately preventing vision loss in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using AI for medical screening, suggesting that this approach could be effective, though this specific application is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Clinics Inclusion Criteria: * Clinic must be from a health system with at least two clinics that meet eligibility criteria and will agree to join. * Number of unique patients with diabetes should be \>550 over any continuous 15-month period prior to the clinic providing a letter of support to participate in the trial. * No point-of-care screening system in use for DR. * Have an electronic health record to track patient data and agree to share limited data set as requested. * Have a member of the clinical team who can commit to serving as the clinic champion for this study. * Have the IT infrastructure to deploy an artificial-intelligence-based eye camera in the clinic. Patient Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of type 1 or 2 diabetes * No known diabetic retinopathy * No diabetic retinopathy screening in the past 12 months Patient Exclusion Criteria: * Have a documented DR screening in the electronic health record within 12 months of the date of the primary care visit * Contraindication includes diagnosed with macular edema, severe non-proliferative retinopathy, proliferative retinopathy, radiation retinopathy, or retinal vein occlusion * Pregnant
Where it's running
-
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Madison, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Roomasa Channa — UW School of Medicine and Public Health
- Study coordinator: Mozhdeh Bahrainian
- Email: bahrainian@wisc.edu
- Phone: 608-262-9955
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Community monitoring of diabetic eye conditions
This study is testing a new way for people with diabetes to have their eye conditions checked by local optometrists and doctors online to see if it makes monitoring easier and more effective.
-
Early angioplasty for diabetic foot syndrome
This study is testing if getting a quick angioplasty after being diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcers helps heal the wounds better than waiting for the procedure.
-
Using melatonin to improve sleep in patients with diabetic retinopathy
This study tests if taking melatonin can help people with diabetic retinopathy sleep better over eight weeks.
-
Preventing lower limb artery disease in adults with diabetes using a risk-prediction model and HAPA-based nursing
A risk-prediction model is tested in adults with type 2 diabetes to see if a nursing plan based on the HAPA model can reduce peripheral artery disease in the legs.
-
Corticosteroid for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) in Adults with Diabetic Retinopathy
This trial tests whether intravitreal corticosteroid injections can influence inflammatory biomarkers and improve DME in adults with type 2 diabetes.
-
DiaFootCare: a mobile app to help adults with diabetic foot ulcers manage self-care in Oman
A mobile app called DiaFootCare will be tested to see if it helps adults with diabetic foot ulcers in Oman take better care of themselves and improve healing compared with usual care.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.