# DRCR Retina Network

> **NIH NIH UG1** · JAEB CENTER FOR HEALTH RESEARCH, INC. · 2024 · $8,942,823

## Abstract

Project Summary
 The DRCR Retina Network is a consortium dedicated to facilitating multicenter clinical studies of
diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal diseases. The Network’s
mission is to conduct high quality, collaborative clinical research that improves vision and quality of life for
people with retinal diseases. The Network operates through a highly collaborative framework comprised of a
Coordinating Center, two Network Chairs, over 100 clinical sites, and other central resource groups such as
image reading centers. This standing infrastructure, along with the substantial clinical and scientific expertise
of its investigators, allows the Network to be highly efficient and effective in the design, implementation, and
reporting of large-scale, ophthalmic clinical studies of major public health priority.
 In the United States, it is estimated that over 20 million people have retinal pathology from DR, AMD,
retinal vein occlusion, and other retinal disease. The US economic burden from retinal disorders totals as much
as $20 billion per year. The Network is uniquely prepared to make impactful contributions to the fight against
vision loss from retinal diseases. Since its inception in 2002, the Network has successfully made numerous
and substantial contributions to the improvement of visual outcomes in diabetic patients. Network studies have
addressed novel therapies, cost effectiveness, patient quality of life, novel methods of retinal imaging and
multiple aspects of visual function with major direct impact on clinical care guidelines and practices worldwide.
The uniqueness of the Network and its efficiencies of scale allow the performance of protocols using money
from the NIH, industry, and foundations. These protocols often involve trials that would not be done by
industry and would not be feasible with solely NIH funding. Such protocols have included comparative
effectiveness studies, trials supportive of new indications for approved drugs, and studies testing new
therapies. The major goals of the Network over the next 5 year period include 1) conducting studies in retinal
disease of high public health importance by completing the 7 ongoing studies and continuing to develop and
implement protocols with scientific rigor and integrity, 2) maintaining a transparent and open collaborative
Network that mentors and encourages diverse clinical reserachers and 3) growing collaborations with external
research groups, foundations and industry. Given its previous accomplishments, robust organization, high
visibility community and strong enthusiasm of its investigators and personnel, the Network is poised for
success in designing and implementing clinical studies over the next five-year period that will substantially and
positively impact our ability to preserve and improve vision in patients with retinal disease in the US and across
the globe.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10627443
- **Project number:** 2UG1EY014231-23
- **Recipient organization:** JAEB CENTER FOR HEALTH RESEARCH, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam R Glassman
- **Activity code:** UG1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $8,942,823
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2002-09-30 → 2028-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10627443

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10627443, DRCR Retina Network (2UG1EY014231-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10627443. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*