AI-Powered Retina Tracker Revolutionizes Diabetic Eye Disease Screening
3 Sources
3 Sources
[1]
Novel AI-powered retina tracker detects eye disease in under one second
The Endocrine SocietyJul 15 2025 A novel AI-powered retina tracker can analyze retinal images with near-perfect accuracy in under one second, according to a study being presented Monday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif. The researchers say the findings offer hope for sight-saving screenings for diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases that are fast, affordable, and accessible worldwide. The application, an AI-based model integrated into Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker (SMART), uses cutting-edge deep learning algorithms to analyze retinal fundus images quickly and accurately, on internet-powered devices including basic smartphones. The SMART AI application enables ophthalmologists to streamline patient screening, empowers primary care providers to incorporate eye exams into routine visits, and expands access to high-quality retinal assessments in regions lacking specialized ophthalmic care." Jansi Rani Sethuraj, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., presenting author of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, Texas Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of preventable blindness, affects over 100 million people globally as the incidence and prevalence of diabetes continue to rise worldwide. Two researchers, Ramya Elangovan and Kavin Elangovan of AIM Doctor in Houston, Texas, sourced several thousand anonymized retinal images from multiple datasets representing diverse populations spanning six continents. These images were used to train and validate deep learning models capable of detecting and staging diabetic retinopathy with over 99% accuracy in under one second. The tracker was also able to differentiate diabetic retinopathy from similar eye pathologies. Healthcare professionals from multiple international institutions independently validated the application's reliability and usability, underscoring its global applicability. "By democratizing eye care through universally accessible mobile technology, this innovation has the potential to screen billions globally, reducing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy while transforming healthcare delivery systems," said the chief mentor of this project, Elangovan Krishnan, M.B., B.S., P.G.D.H.M., M.Tech., M.S., Ph.D., of AIM Doctor. "This research proves that AI can be a force for good, bridging gaps in care and bringing hope to millions at risk of losing their sight." The Endocrine Society
[2]
AI-powered mobile retina tracker screens for diabetic eye disease with 99% accuracy
A novel AI-powered retina tracker can analyze retinal images with near-perfect accuracy in under one second, according to a study presented at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif. The researchers say the findings offer hope for sight-saving screenings for diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases that are fast, affordable, and accessible worldwide. "The application, an AI-based model integrated into Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker (SMART), uses cutting-edge deep learning algorithms to analyze retinal fundus images quickly and accurately, on internet-powered devices including basic smartphones," according to presenting author Jansi Rani Sethuraj, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, Texas. "The SMART AI application enables ophthalmologists to streamline patient screening, empowers primary care providers to incorporate eye exams into routine visits, and expands access to high-quality retinal assessments in regions lacking specialized ophthalmic care." Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of preventable blindness, affects over 100 million people globally as the incidence and prevalence of diabetes continue to rise worldwide. Two researchers, Ramya Elangovan and Kavin Elangovan of AIM Doctor in Houston, Texas, sourced several thousand anonymized retinal images from multiple datasets representing diverse populations spanning six continents. These images were used to train and validate deep learning models capable of detecting and staging diabetic retinopathy with over 99% accuracy in under one second. The tracker was also able to differentiate diabetic retinopathy from similar eye pathologies. Health care professionals from multiple international institutions independently validated the application's reliability and usability, underscoring its global applicability. "By democratizing eye care through universally accessible mobile technology, this innovation has the potential to screen billions globally, reducing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy while transforming health care delivery systems," said the chief mentor of this project, Elangovan Krishnan, M.B., B.S., P.G.D.H.M., M.Tech., M.S., Ph.D., of AIM Doctor. "This research proves that AI can be a force for good, bridging gaps in care and bringing hope to millions at risk of losing their sight."
[3]
AI Can Help Screen For Vision-Destroying Diabetic Eye Disease
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, July 16, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- A new AI-powered retina tracker can help doctors screen for a vision-destroying diabetic eye disease, researchers say. The Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker (SMART) program achieved greater than 99% accuracy in screening for diabetic retinopathy, researchers reported Monday at the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society in San Francisco. The program "uses cutting-edge deep learning algorithms to analyze retinal fundus images quickly and accurately, on internet-powered devices including basic smartphones," researcher Jansi Rani Sethuraj of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston said in a news release. "The SMART AI application enables ophthalmologists to streamline patient screening, empowers primary care providers to incorporate eye exams into routine visits, and expands access to high-quality retinal assessments in regions lacking specialized ophthalmic care," Sethuraj added. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition in which leaky blood vessels damage a patient's retina, the light-sensing wall of tissue that lines the back of the eye. It's a leading cause of preventable blindness that affects more than 100 million people around the world, researchers said in background notes. To create the program, researchers trained an artificial intelligence (AI) model on several thousand retinal images from a diverse group of patients spanning six continents. Researchers then tested the AI on another set of images and found it could detect diabetic retinopathy nearly all the time, with a processing speed of less than one second per image. The tracker also was able to distinguish diabetic retinopathy from other eye diseases, researchers added. "By democratizing eye care through universally accessible mobile technology, this innovation has the potential to screen billions globally, reducing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy while transforming healthcare delivery systems," researcher Dr. Elangovan Krishnan with AIM Doctor in Houston said in a news release. "This research proves that AI can be a force for good, bridging gaps in care and bringing hope to millions at risk of losing their sight," he added. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. More information The American Academy of Ophthalmology has more on diabetic retinopathy. SOURCE: The Endocrine Society, news release, July 14, 2025
Share
Copy Link
A novel AI-based mobile application achieves near-perfect accuracy in detecting diabetic retinopathy within seconds, promising to transform global eye care accessibility.
Breakthrough in AI-Powered Eye Disease Detection
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking AI-powered retina tracker that can detect diabetic retinopathy with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker (SMART) application, presented at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, has demonstrated the ability to analyze retinal images with over 99% accuracy in less than one second 12.
The SMART Technology
Source: News-Medical
The SMART application integrates cutting-edge deep learning algorithms to analyze retinal fundus images quickly and accurately. What sets this technology apart is its ability to function on internet-powered devices, including basic smartphones, making it highly accessible 1. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize eye care by:
- Enabling ophthalmologists to streamline patient screening
- Empowering primary care providers to incorporate eye exams into routine visits
- Expanding access to high-quality retinal assessments in regions lacking specialized ophthalmic care 2
Development and Validation
The AI model behind SMART was developed by researchers Ramya Elangovan and Kavin Elangovan of AIM Doctor in Houston, Texas. They sourced thousands of anonymized retinal images from diverse populations across six continents to train and validate the deep learning models 12. The tracker not only detects and stages diabetic retinopathy but also differentiates it from similar eye pathologies 3.
Healthcare professionals from multiple international institutions independently validated the application's reliability and usability, underscoring its global applicability 1.
Impact on Global Eye Health
Source: Medical Xpress
Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of preventable blindness, affects over 100 million people globally. As diabetes rates continue to rise worldwide, the need for accessible screening tools becomes increasingly critical 23.
Dr. Elangovan Krishnan, the chief mentor of this project, emphasized the transformative potential of this technology: "By democratizing eye care through universally accessible mobile technology, this innovation has the potential to screen billions globally, reducing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy while transforming healthcare delivery systems" 12.
Implications for Healthcare
The SMART application represents a significant leap forward in the use of AI for medical diagnostics. Its ability to provide accurate results in under a second on widely available devices could dramatically improve early detection rates for diabetic retinopathy 3.
This technology could be particularly impactful in regions with limited access to specialized eye care. By enabling primary care providers to conduct eye exams during routine visits, it has the potential to catch eye diseases earlier, potentially saving the sight of millions at risk 23.
Future Prospects
While the current focus is on diabetic retinopathy, the success of this AI model opens up possibilities for detecting other eye diseases and potentially expanding into other areas of medical imaging. As AI continues to prove its worth in healthcare, we can expect to see more innovations that bridge gaps in care and improve patient outcomes globally 123.
The researchers' work demonstrates that AI can indeed be a force for good, offering hope to millions at risk of losing their sight and potentially transforming healthcare delivery systems worldwide.
Databricks Secures $1 Billion Funding at $100 Billion Valuation, Targets AI Database Market
Databricks raises $1 billion in a new funding round, valuing the company at over $100 billion. The data analytics firm plans to invest in AI database technology and an AI agent platform, positioning itself for growth in the evolving AI market.
11 Sources
Business
13 hrs ago
11 Sources
Business
13 hrs ago
SoftBank's $2 Billion Investment in Intel: A Strategic Move in the AI Chip Race
SoftBank makes a significant $2 billion investment in Intel, boosting the chipmaker's efforts to regain its competitive edge in the AI semiconductor market.
22 Sources
Business
22 hrs ago
22 Sources
Business
22 hrs ago
OpenAI Launches Affordable ChatGPT Go Plan in India, Eyeing Global Expansion
OpenAI introduces ChatGPT Go, a new subscription plan priced at ₹399 ($4.60) per month exclusively for Indian users, offering enhanced features and affordability to capture a larger market share.
15 Sources
Technology
21 hrs ago
15 Sources
Technology
21 hrs ago
Microsoft Integrates AI-Powered 'COPILOT' Function into Excel Cells
Microsoft introduces a new AI-powered 'COPILOT' function in Excel, allowing users to perform complex data analysis and content generation using natural language prompts within spreadsheet cells.
8 Sources
Technology
14 hrs ago
8 Sources
Technology
14 hrs ago
Adobe Revolutionizes PDF with AI-Powered Acrobat Studio
Adobe launches Acrobat Studio, integrating AI assistants and PDF Spaces to transform document management and collaboration, marking a significant evolution in PDF technology.
10 Sources
Technology
13 hrs ago
10 Sources
Technology
13 hrs ago
Your Daily Dose of Curated AI News
Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Spend less time searching for the latest in AI and get straight to action.
