A New Dawn in Eye Analysis
Artificial intelligence is beginning to transform how we can bring together and interpret the wealth of information collected during an eye examination.
A major recent development in my practice is the use of AI-assisted analysis to bring together different aspects of a patient’s eye examination.
Anonymised retinal photographs from the Topcon NW500, Zeiss Cirrus OCT scans, optic nerve analysis, visual fields, eye pressures, vision measurements and relevant clinical history can now be considered together rather than simply as a series of separate tests.
This can provide insights that were previously difficult to obtain. AI can assist in comparing images and scans taken over several years, detecting subtle changes, analysing patterns of glaucoma and retinal disease, and considering the findings alongside current research and treatment options from the international medical literature.
The real advance is not AI looking at a single photograph or scan, but its ability to bring many different pieces of clinical information together and examine the relationships between them.
Importantly, AI does not replace the ophthalmologist. All findings are critically reviewed and interpreted by Mr Lee, who combines this additional analysis with his own examination, clinical experience and judgement.
Although assembling and reviewing all this information remains time-consuming, it is allowing a much deeper and more individualised assessment of complex eye conditions — and potentially a more nuanced clinical opinion than has previously been practical.