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

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2024 · $188,888

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common cause of preventable vision loss in the U.S. and disproportionately
affects minorities and people with limited socioeconomic resources. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent
visual impairment by up to 90%, making adherence to visits critical. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a
validated measure which has demonstrated the effects of neighborhood-level vulnerability on individual patient
access and outcomes. Increased neighborhood-level social vulnerability, measured using SVI, is associated with
increased risk of missed ophthalmology appointments. As SVI is being integrated into electronic health records,
there is now an opportunity to systematically identify individuals with high neighborhood SVI who are at increased
risk of missed appointments and subsequent vision loss. Dr. Scanzera previously identified transportation to and
from visits to be among the most consistent markers of social vulnerability that contributes to missed
appointments in patients residing in neighborhoods with high social vulnerability. The purpose of Dr. Scanzera’s
K23 research plan is to design, implement, and evaluate a ride-share transportation intervention adapted from
her health system’s existing PROgram for Non-emergency TranspOrtation (PRONTO) to mitigate barriers to
adhering to scheduled ophthalmology visits in patients with DR coming from neighborhoods with high social
vulnerability. She plans to integrate implementation science and human-centered design research strategies to
(1) Co-Design and (2) Pilot test PRONTO-EYE, which she hypothesizes will be successfully integrated into the
existing healthcare system and will improve adherence to ophthalmology visits in this population.
Dr. Scanzera’s long-term career goal is to develop and implement evidence-based interventions to reduce
preventable blindness in underserved areas in the U.S. The K23 Career Development Award will provide her the
mentored research as well as didactic and experiential training to become an independent investigator using
implementation science to work toward eliminating disparities in eye health. She will have access to considerable
resources through the University of Illinois Chicago, including mentors with expertise that each complement her
research proposal and career development. This K23 proposal directly aligns with the National Institutes of
Health commitment to ending structural racism by 1) improving minority health and reducing health disparities,
and 2) removing barriers to advancing health disparities research. Additionally, the National Eye Institute’s 2021
Strategic Plan includes public health & disparities research as an area of emphasis. By developing an
intervention for patients with diabetic retinopathy residing in neighborhoods with high social vulnerability, Dr.
Scanzera’s research plan has the potential to improve access to eye care and eye health outcomes in the
underserved. The immediat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10807470
- **Project number:** 1K23EY034602-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Angelica Scanzera
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $188,888
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-02-01 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10807470

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10807470, Toward equity in vision health: Using implementation science to adapt a targeted transportation intervention for patients with diabetic retinopathy (PRONTO-EYE) (1K23EY034602-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10807470. Licensed CC0.

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