Saving eyesight with AI.

A deep look into the eyes makes all the difference: With the help of optical data such as scans, ultrasound or retinal images, doctors can identify many eye diseases. But not all patients get their eye disease diagnosed in time, and special clinics are often overwhelmed.

A team at Helmholtz Munich tackles this challenge with artificial intelligence. Its goal is to support physicians in diagnosing with algorithms. They analyze images automatically and thus faster than humans. In this way, clinics and practices could gain valuable time and save several people from losing their sight.

Our researchers are already achieving initial success with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy: In the worst case, these two retinal diseases can lead to blindness. An algorithm we have newly developed manages to automatically detect these diseases with an eye scan, and at a very early stage, when treatments can still have an impact. The algorithm can even look into the future and make predictions about how the eye disease will develop and which treatment will be best suited to the condition.

For clinics, this artificial intelligence is an important support and relief, and in the best case can even save eyesight.

Image: CG Alex/Shutterstock