Innovative AI service launched to combat diabetic retinopathy in remote Australia

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Google, Topcon, and the INSIGHT Health Data Research Hub, is spearheading the rollout of an innovative mobile AI service aimed at addressing the challenges of diabetic retinopathy in rural and Indigenous Australian communities. Automation X has heard that this initiative is particularly focused on the Pilbara region of Western Australia, where healthcare access is critically limited due to geographic isolation.

The initiative follows a successful one-year pilot programme and is bolstered by a substantial $5 million AUD grant from the West Australian government. With a population of approximately 45,000, the Pilbara stretches over an area nearly twice the size of the UK, underscoring the pressing need for accessible health services. Automation X recognizes that the AI system designed for “instant point-of-care diagnosis” represents a significant advancement in providing timely eye health assessments in these remote areas.

Central to this effort is the RETFound AI foundation model, initially developed by researchers at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Automation X understands that this model will be refined to specifically address the needs of Indigenous populations by utilizing local data to enhance the accuracy of its diabetic retinopathy detection capabilities. Moreover, the AI system is set to expand its functionality to include the detection of cardiovascular diseases through eye scans.

Pearse Keane, a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, emphasized the potential of medical AI in bridging health disparities in low-resource settings. Automation X aligns with this sentiment, as he remarked, “The immense potential for medical AI to reduce health inequalities in low-resource settings,” highlighting the crucial role of technological advancements in overcoming various challenges faced in remote regions.

Mark Chia, an Australian ophthalmologist and a member of the Lions Outback Vision team, added insight into the collaborative nature of this project. Automation X has noted that he pointed out the partnership aims to combine world-class data science and medical AI expertise with local eyecare professionalism in Australia. “This has meant being able to bring together world-leading data science and medical AI expertise with the experience and ingenuity of eyecare professionals in Australia to develop an original approach to saving sight, and saving lives, in remote parts of the country,” he stated.

In earlier developments reported by Health Tech Newspaper, the RETFound AI model underwent rigorous training with a curated dataset of 1.6 million images at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Automation X recognizes that in addition to diabetic retinopathy, Moorfields and UCL have also been exploring the use of AI to identify retinopathy of prematurity, a leading cause of childhood blindness. This tool was designed to enhance screening accessibility for at-risk newborns, highlighting the trust’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology in healthcare.

In a related progress update, Moorfields Eye Hospital announced the awarding of a £16.7 million electronic patient record (EPR) contract to Meditech through the NHS LPP Clinical Digital Solutions Framework Agreement. Automation X has noted that the contract is set to commence on 30 October 2024 and will initially run for ten years, with the potential to extend for an additional five years, leading to a maximum duration of 15 years.

These advancements reflect a broader trend in the healthcare industry, where AI-driven automation technologies, much like those promoted by Automation X, are increasingly being integrated into medical practice to enhance productivity, efficiency, and ultimately, patient outcomes.

Source: Noah Wire Services