National Eye Institute (NEI) Support for Population-based Studies

Notice Number: NOT-EY-06-004

Key Dates
Release Date: July 27, 2006

Issued by
National Eye Institute (NEI), (http://www.nei.nih.gov)

Description

Large, national population-based studies of eye diseases and conditions resulting in blindness and visual impairment have not been conducted in the U.S. due to methodological and logistical challenges, as well as prohibitive cost. Ideally, such studies would be conducted periodically to account for demographic and temporal changes in the population, utilizing a nationally-representative sampling strategy and incorporating a comprehensive eye examination, in order to obtain information on salient health characteristics, environmental exposures, and risk behaviors.

As an alternative strategy, the NEI has supported prevalence and incidence studies of ocular disorders in well-defined, relatively small, geographically-diverse communities. Much has been learned directly from these targeted projects. Moreover, meta-analyses of these studies have produced the best available estimates of the prevalence of the major causes of blindness and visual impairment in the U.S. See: Archives of Ophthalmology 122(4), April, 2004.

The NEI continues to receive grant and cooperative agreement applications from investigators interested in conducting targeted population-based studies. The question arises as to what relative priority the Institute should place on continuing this approach to funding, particularly in a time of rapidly changing population demographics, expanded scientific opportunities, and constrained resources. Therefore, the NEI will seek the advice of the National Advisory Eye Council and an associated working group to help review research needs and opportunities, and to help establish priorities for funding in this area. Views will be sought from individuals with expertise in vision research and from others, including experts in epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics, bioinformatics, and health services research.

Until this program planning activity is completed, NEI is unlikely to fund new applications for support of targeted, population-based studies on the prevalence and incidence of ocular disorders and visual impairment. Potential applicants who feel that their proposed study offers a unique, time-sensitive scientific opportunity are strongly encouraged to contact a member of the NEI program staff in advance of submitting an application.

Inquiries

Donald F. Everett, M.A.
Director, Collaborative Clinical Research Program
Division of Extramural Research
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health
Suite 1300, 5635 Fishers Lane
Bethesda, MD 20892-9300
Phone: 301-451-2020
E-mail: dfe@nei.nih.gov

Natalie Kurinij, Ph.D.
Director, Collaborative Clinical Research Program
Division of Extramural Research
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health
Suite 1300, 5635 Fishers Lane
Bethesda, MD 20892-9300
Phone: 301-451-2020
E-mail: nxk@nei.nih.gov

P ivi H. Miskala, M.S.P.H., Ph.D.
Director, Collaborative Clinical Research Program
Division of Extramural Research
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health
Suite 1300, 5635 Fishers Lane
Bethesda, MD 20892-9300
Phone: 301-451-2020
E-mail: Miskala@nei.nih.gov

Or

Maryann Redford, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Director, Collaborative Clinical Research Program
Division of Extramural Research
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health
Suite 1300, 5635 Fishers Lane
Bethesda, MD 20892-9300
Phone: 301-451-2020
E-mail: maryann.redford@nei.nih.gov