Current Projects

Extramural Research

Currently, through a new cooperative agreement with John Hopkins University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Miami and Wills Eye Institute our funding and technical assistance continues to help raise the awareness of vision loss and eye diseases within the nation. This cooperative agreement assess and evaluate system-level and individual-level factors that impact access to, and the quality of eye care. Read More

Extramural Non-Research

In 2012, CDC funded a new cooperative agreement program, Improving Access to Eye Care Among Persons at High Risk for Glaucoma, to improve glaucoma screening, referral, and treatment. The program is intended to reach those populations experiencing the greatest disparity in access to glaucoma care through an integrated collaboration among private and public organizations. Read More

National and State Based Surveillance Studies

• NHANES —- Vision Examination and Opthalmology Components
  The Vision Examination data in NHANES are used to measure the prevalence of visual acuity impairment (visual acuity worse than 20/40) in the U.S. population; measure the distribution of refractive error in the U.S. population; and evaluate functional impairment related to vision. Read More
• State-Based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Visual Impairment and Access to Eye Care Module
  Since 2005, 20 states have been funded by VHI through agreements with National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD). In response to Healthy People 2010 vision objectives, these state-based surveys aim to develop and enhance a surveillance system for vision loss and eye diseases to assess burden and health disparity and to monitor national and state trends. Read more

Economic Studies

• The multiple eye disease simulation model (MEDS)
• Economic burden of eye diseases and visual impairment in adult Americans
• Cost-effectiveness model for diabetic retinopathy
• Cost-effectiveness model for amblyopia
• Cost-effectiveness model for comprehensive eye examination