Wednesday, July 30, 2025 7/30/2025

Toward equity in vision health: Using implementation science to adapt a targeted transportation intervention for patients with diabetic retinopathy (PRONTO-EYE)

Award Number: K23EY034602
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Toward equity in vision health: Using implementation science to adapt a targeted transportation intervention for patients with diabetic retinopathy (PRONTO-EYE) - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of preventable vision loss in the United States and disproportionately affects individuals with limited socioeconomic resources. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent up to 90% of vision impairment, underscoring the importance of consistent adherence to ophthalmology appointments. Dr. Scanzera’s prior work identified transportation challenges as a key factor contributing to missed appointments among patients coming from neighborhoods with limited socioeconomic resources. Her K23 research plan aims to design, implement, and evaluate a ride-share transportation intervention adapted from her health system’s existing PROgram for Non-emergency TranspOrtation (PRONTO). This intervention, names PRONTO-EYE, is intended to reduce transportation challenges and improve adherence to scheduled ophthalmology visits for patients with DR and Medicaid insurance. To achieve this, Dr. Scanzera will apply implementation and human-centered design methodologies to (1) co-design and (2) pilot test PRONTO-EYE. She hypothesizes that the intervention will be successfully integrated into the existing healthcare infrastructure and will enhance appointment adherence in the target population. Dr. Scanzera’s long-term goal is to develop and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce preventable blindness in communities with limited resources across the U.S. The K23 Career Development Award will provide her with mentored research experience, as well as didactic and hands-on training, to support her transition to an independent investigator focused on improving eye health outcomes for all. She will benefit from the extensive resources and mentorship available at the University of Illinois Chicago, with advisors whose expertise aligns with her research and career objectives. This proposal also aligned with the National Eye Institute’s 2021 Strategic Plan which emphasizes population health. By developing a transportation intervention tailored to patients with DR with Medicaid insurance, Dr. Scanzera’s research has the potential to significantly improve access to eye care and reduce vision loss. The immediate outcome will be a pilot-tested intervention, which will be evaluated in a larger trial as part of a future R01 grant.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $189,780 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Vision Research	000	2	2/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$189,780
														Subtotal = $189,780

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $188,888 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	809 S MARSHFIELD AVE M/C 551	CHICAGO	IL	60612	COOK	USA	Vision Research	000	1	1/10/2024	NEW	$188,888
														Subtotal = $188,888

Grand Total All Awards = $378,668

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Toward equity in vision health: Using implementation science to adapt a targeted transportation intervention for patients with diabetic retinopathy (PRONTO-EYE)

Award Number: K23EY034602

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer