AI screening helps more people with diabetes access sight-saving eye care
A study from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that AI-supported screening for diabetic retinopathy significantly improves patient follow-up rates. Patients receiving AI-assisted results were more likely to attend specialist appointments and did so much faster than those in standard screening pathways.
Why it matters
This demonstrates the potential for AI to improve healthcare outcomes and efficiency in low-resource settings by facilitating faster intervention for preventable blindness.
by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add to Preferred Sources Person receiving a retinal eye examination with a retinal camera in a healthcare clinic. Credit: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine People receiving AI-supported screening for diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness globally, were almost twice as likely to attend specialist follow-up appointments as those receiving standard screening, according to new research from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
In a trial of 2,378 people attending a diabetic eye screening program across 24 hospitals in Tanzania, half of the participants received AI-supported screening, while the other half followed the standard screening pathway.
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