§285i–1 Clinical Research on Eye Care and Diabetes

Summary

The Institute's director, with advice from the Institute’s advisory council, can give research grants to Diabetes Eye Research Institutions to pay for clinical and health programs. These programs must fund full eye care for people with diabetes, new and better ways to treat patients, using research in clinics, and extra research to learn more about the eye and diabetes. Grant money must be used for research into the biochemical, cellular, and genetic causes of diabetic eye disease and for earlier detection of problems. Ophthalmologists working on this must have training in modern molecular and cell biology methods. Funds may also develop new technologies (for example, video-based tools) to improve care, study retinal function, assess risks and treatments, and work in both people and animal models. Grants must help move lab findings into patient care and pay for studies of treatment results and education programs, including regional approaches. Equipment for these projects may be bought with the grant.