The Future of Health? You Might be Looking at It
What do your eyes say about you? UC Irvine researchers are looking for the link between our eyes and our overall wellness.
Photo credit Anastasiya Badun
UC Irvine is leading a groundbreaking effort to better understand the connection between our eye health and overall wellness. The Eyes on Health study, part of the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program, is enrolling participants across Southern California to gather detailed ocular imaging data. Study results could shape the future of preventative medicine.
The goal of the study is to enroll 1,250 participants by July 2026. According to Dr. Hoda Anton-Culver, principal investigator of UC Irvine’s All of Us Research Program, the team is confident they’ll meet, and likely surpass, that target. Outreach strategies include email campaigns, community contact efforts, and invitations to existing All of Us participants who have been part of the national program since 2017.
Crucially, the study is designed to reach participants from diverse communities across Southern California, ensuring that the findings reflect the unique health backgrounds and demographics of the region. “We welcome anyone interested in joining,” said Anton-Culver, “whether they are new to the All of Us program or already enrolled.”
What Participants Can Expect
For those who may feel nervous about medical procedures, Anton-Culver emphasizes that the imaging process is simple, painless, and quick. It takes less than fifteen minutes for participants to complete two types of imaging:
A color fundus photo, which captures a detailed picture of the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye.
An optical coherence tomography scan, which provides cross-sectional images of the eye.
Both are performed using the Maestro Topcon 2 machine, the same technology routinely used in ophthalmology clinics. Pupil dilation is not required, so participants need not worry about wearing sunglasses or getting a ride home.
At the end of the appointment, participants receive a printed picture of their retina as well as a $25 stipend to offset time and travel.
The Eyes on Health project builds on the robust foundation of the All of Us Research Program, which already includes over 633,000 participant survey responses, 393,000 electronic health records, and 414,000 whole genome sequences. More than 709 peer-reviewed journal articles have already been published using All of Us data.
The new ocular imaging data from Eyes on Health participants will be de-identified before being added to the All of Us Research Hub. This vast and secure national database is accessible to scientists around the world. Participant privacy is a cornerstone of the study, with strict safeguards in place to ensure confidentiality.
Once the ocular imaging is added to existing All of Us data, researchers will be able to explore potential connections between eye health and other medical conditions. Anton-Culver notes that this could eventually lead to improvements in preventative care, new screening methods, and even the possibility of using eye imaging in routine annual checkups.
“Adding unique ocular imaging data gives scientists another dimension to investigate,” Anton-Culver explained. “It has the potential to advance precision medicine research and fuel new insights into human health.”
While the impact of this research will be global, the study also brings direct benefits closer to home. With more than 600 local residents already expressing interest and over 200 appointments scheduled, Irvine is shaping up to be a central hub of participation. Community members not only contribute to groundbreaking science but also gain immediate feedback on their eye health.
For Anton-Culver, what excites her most about Eyes on Health is its potential to transform how doctors and scientists think about the eye as a window into broader health conditions. “These discoveries have enormous potential to impact public health and advance eye health in clinics.”
Local residents who want to participate or learn more can contact the UCI All of Us team at (949) 824-0282 or allofus@uci.edu