Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

AI-powered Screening Tool To Boost Glaucoma care: The Lancet

An international team of researchers has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool that can significantly improve care for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/glaucoma">glaucoma</a> -- a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, according to a study published in The Lancet Primary Care journal today.

Researchers led by those from the University of Lisbon in Portugal found that the AI-based screening tool halved the number of unnecessary referrals for glaucoma.

The study, released during the Glaucoma Awareness Week, also showed an accuracy level at par with human eye doctors. 

"The high accuracy at excluding people without glaucoma is especially important, as false alarms can lead to unnecessary hospital visits, patient anxiety, and added strain on healthcare services," the researchers said.

According to the researchers, AI-based screening could:

<ul><li>support earlier detection, </li><li>reduce unnecessary specialist referrals, </li><li>prevent avoidable vision loss, </li><li>can be integrated into routine primary care in a cost-effective way</li></ul><h2>Key Findings</h2>

The study was carried out at a single screening center in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023. 

The experts screened 671 adults aged 55-65 for glaucoma via the AI tool, analyzing images of the eyes. The images were then independently graded by six glaucoma experts. 

<ul><li>referred 66 people (9.8 percent) vs 118 referrals (18.0 percent) by the eye doctors, </li><li>diagnosed glaucoma in 40 participants (6.4 percent). </li><li>It correctly identified 78 percent of people who truly had glaucoma, vs 75 percent identified by the eye doctors </li><li>Correctly ruled out the disease in 95 percent of people, vs 91 percent by eye doctors </li></ul>

While modelling studies suggest that screening could substantially reduce glaucoma-related visual impairment and blindness, barriers include the need for specialised diagnostic equipment and trained personnel, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the intrinsically low positive predictive value of screening tests.

In such a scenario, the new study showed that "AI may provide a more viable option than population-wide screening", which may seem impractical. 

Glaucoma is a chronic disease that affects an estimated 80 million individuals globally, according to the World Glaucoma Association.

It is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that produces characteristic visual field damage. 

The disease stems from a long asymptomatic phase, resulting in substantial underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. 

Even in high-income countries, up to 50 percent of individuals with glaucoma remain undiagnosed, frequently presenting moderate to advanced disease at first detection. 

By the year 2040, it is estimated that there will be 22 million individuals worldwide who are blind from glaucoma. 

<ul><li>Vision suddenly gets blurry </li><li>Severe eye pain </li><li>Headache </li><li>Nausea </li><li>Vomiting </li><li>Rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights</li></ul>

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An international team of researchers has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool that can significantly improve care for glaucoma -- a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, according to a study published in The Lancet Primary Care journal today. Researchers led by those from the University of Lisbon in Portugal found that the AI-based screening tool halved the number of unnecessary referrals for glaucoma. The study, released during the Glaucoma Awareness Week, also showed an accuracy level at par with human eye doctors. "The high accuracy at excluding people without glaucoma is especially important, as false alarms can lead to unnecessary hospital visits, patient anxiety, and added strain on healthcare services," the researchers said.According to the researchers, AI-based screening could:support earlier detection, reduce unnecessary specialist referrals, prevent avoidable vision loss, can be integrated into routine primary care in a cost-effective wayKey Findings The study was carried out at a single screening center in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023. The experts screened 671 adults aged 55-65 for glaucoma via the AI tool, analyzing images of the eyes. The images were then independently graded by six glaucoma experts. The AI-tool: referred 66 people (9.8 percent) vs 118 referrals (18.0 percent) by the eye doctors, diagnosed glaucoma in 40 participants (6.4 percent). It correctly identified 78 percent of people who truly had glaucoma, vs 75 percent identified by the eye doctors Correctly ruled out the disease in 95 percent of people, vs 91 percent by eye doctors While modelling studies suggest that screening could substantially reduce glaucoma-related visual impairment and blindness, barriers include the need for specialised diagnostic equipment and trained personnel, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the intrinsically low positive predictive value of screening tests. In such a scenario, the new study showed that "AI may provide a more viable option than population-wide screening", which may seem impractical. What Is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a chronic disease that affects an estimated 80 million individuals globally, according to the World Glaucoma Association.  It is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that produces characteristic visual field damage. The disease stems from a long asymptomatic phase, resulting in substantial underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Even in high-income countries, up to 50 percent of individuals with glaucoma remain undiagnosed, frequently presenting moderate to advanced disease at first detection. By the year 2040, it is estimated that there will be 22 million individuals worldwide who are blind from glaucoma. When to see a doctor for glaucoma: Vision suddenly gets blurry Severe eye pain Headache Nausea Vomiting Rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights