by Tamarreo Tatum

Carolene Botha, MD, a master’s student in the Vision Science Graduate Program, has been awarded a grant through the Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research program, with additional support from the National Academy of Sciences. The funding will support her work developing and building affordable retinal fundus cameras to improve diabetic retinopathy screenings and improve outcomes in underserved communities.

Her experience as a doctor in rural South Africa highlighted the impact of limited eye care services, particularly for patients with diabetes.

“None of the diabetic patients I saw during my year there had ever received an eye exam,” Botha said. “It was heartbreaking knowing that a simple retinal fundus exam, done annually, could prevent so much vision loss. Making high-quality retinal screening accessible and affordable would help prevent avoidable vision loss, particularly in resource-limited settings. It could significantly improve long-term patient outcomes.”

With the growing application of artificial intelligence for automated image interpretation, the impact of accessible fundus photography becomes even greater, making affordability an urgent priority in this evolving landscape, she added.

With the funding, Botha hopes to make a lasting impact on global eye health starting with a camera that could change how diabetic retinopathy is detected and treated in communities that need it most.