How Can Artificial Intelligence Diagnose Eye Diseases?

A collaboration between Google owned artificial intelligence (AI) company DeepMind and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, England, has shown that hospitals could be using AI for early diagnosis of eye diseases. Thousands of retinal scans have been analyzed to train an AI algorithm on how to find different types of eye diseases including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, more efficiently and quickly than a human specialist.

By 2050, due to a growing and ageing global population, there could be a threefold increase in the number of people experiencing blindness. According to Professor Sir Peng Tee Khaw, director of research and development at Moorfields, early diagnosis and treatment is the most effective way to protect the vision health of older people, making it “vital we explore the use of cutting-edge technology.”

Professor Tee Khaw also stated he was “optimistic” that this new research on the role of machine learning in health care could not only reduce the number of people suffering globally from avoidable vision loss, but also make it so the healthcare system can prioritise patients with vision-threatening conditions.

Interested in how to promote the vision health of older people and the role of technology in improving health outcomes? The IFA 14th Global Conference on Ageing will have sessions exploring Technology and Ageing, as well as Vision Health. Until then, the IFA Expert Centre can help connect you to someone who can help you learn more.

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