Photos from a retinal camera allow an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to perform eye exams and quickly diagnose diabetic retinopathy, a condition that could lead to blindness, reports Hannah Norman for California Health Line. Diagnoses are immediate, and no doctor is involved.
Diabetic retinopathy is the principal cause of blindness for adults under 65 and a health condition that millions of Americans with diabetes are at risk of getting. Today, some 9.6 million Americans have diabetic retinopathy.
People with type 2 diabetes typically spend a lot of time and money getting tested for retinopathy. They must see an eye doctor, have their eyes dilated and then can easily wait seven days for a diagnosis. And, it is recommended that they do so each year or, at least, every other year.
To date, the FDA has approved lots of medical devices that work through AI.
What is diabetic retinopathy? It stems from injury to blood vessels in the retina from high blood sugar. People with diabetes can stave off diabetic retinopathy when they manage their condition. And, doctors can treat diabetic retinopathy. But, screenings allow for early treatment.
How easy is it to you an AI system to detect diabetic retinopathy? It takes only a few hours of training.
What happens during the AI diagnosis? Patients look into a special camera so that a technician can photograph their eyes. Generally, there is no need to dilate the patients’ eyes.
What are the risks of using AI to diagnose diabetic retinopathy? At the moment, using AI will only detect diabetic retinopathy. It will not detect other eye conditions that an eye doctor might detect. For example, it won’t detect choroidal melanoma.
What are the benefits of using AI to diagnose diabetic retinopathy? Using AI to diagnose diabetic retinopathy is faster and less costly than going to the eye doctor. With AI, people are also far more likely to go for a follow-up visit after diagnosis than if they went to the eye doctor, according to one recent study. Researchers attribute the increased likelihood of follow-up to the fact that patients get a diagnosis right away.
Does Medicare cover this AI test? Medicare covers this AI eye test, albeit at a very low rate–$45.36. Corporate health insurers have an average negotiated rate of $127.81 for the test.
The technology is still in its infancy. But, based on what we know right now, it is more than likely to take off big time before long. And, of course, researchers are looking to expand the reach of AI to detect glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Medicare Advantage cannot rely exclusively on AI to deny coverage
- Artificial intelligence machines can prompt physicians to discuss end-of-life issues
- CMS can’t oversee AI denials in Medicare Advantage
- Protect your eyesight: Free and low-cost vision care
- Free and low-cost ways to address hearing loss
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