(a) Program of grantsThe Director of the Institute, in consultation with the advisory council for the Institute, may award research grants to one or more Diabetes Eye Research Institutions for the support of programs in clinical or health services aimed at—
(1)
providing comprehensive eye care services for people with diabetes, including a full complement of preventive, diagnostic and treatment procedures;
(b) Use of fundsAmounts received under a grant awarded under this section shall be used for the following:
(1)
Establishing the biochemical, cellular, and genetic mechanisms associated with diabetic eye disease and the earlier detection of pending eye abnormalities. The focus of work under this paragraph shall require that ophthalmologists have training in the most up-to-date molecular and cell biological methods.
(2) Establishing new frontiers in technology, such as video-based diagnostic and research resources, to—
(C)
provide for the assessment of risks for the development and progression of diabetic eye disease and a more immediate evaluation of various therapies aimed at preventing diabetic eye disease.
Such technologies shall be designed to permit evaluations to be performed both in humans and in animal models.
(3)
The translation of the results of vision research into the improved care of patients with diabetic eye disease. Such translation shall require the application of institutional resources that encompass patient care, clinical research and basic laboratory research.
(c) Authorized expenditures
The purposes for which a grant under subsection (a) may be expended include equipment for the research described in such subsection.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IV, § 456, as added Pub. L. 103–43, title XI, § 1101(a), June 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 168.)