The ability to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to ophthalmology is gathering pace, a consequence of remarkable collaboration between eye specialists and technologists whose forte is the ability to process vast amounts of data quickly.

Irish ophthalmologist Dr. Pearse Keane – based in Moorfields Hospital, London – has been the chief catalyst in developing AI software to detect 50 sight-threatening eye diseases. It operates by interpreting optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of the back of the eye, which soon will be routine when going for an eye check.

Automation in analyzing scans for diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the main cause of blindness in Europe, and diabetic retinopathy, is about to revolutionize patient outcomes with faster results affording earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment, and ultimately preventing avoidable sight loss.

Since that initial breakthrough, the Keane team has developed an alert system for a third of people with AMD who later get it in their good eye and, potentially, an early-warning system for the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer’s.

Keane is the main speaker at the Retina 2020 conference, an annual gathering in Ireland to showcase the latest advances in treating eye disease and curing sight loss taking place later this week…..

Read more: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/irish-researcher-develops-ai-to-help-prevent-sight-loss-1.4392536

Source: Irish Times