Diabetes is increasing and early detection and treatment of complications is key to preventing the disease from getting worse. Researchers at St George’s and Moorfields Eye Hospital, UCL, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston University, UK and University of Washington and National Eye Institute National Institutes of Health (NEI NIH), USA have received a Wellcome Collaborative Award.
The researchers have used automated retinal image analysis systems, which harness artificial intelligence, to analyse images of the back of the eye. This has allowed them to develop a model that accurately predicts cardiovascular disease from retinal images in community settings (which performs as well as established risk prediction models), but without the need for a blood test or blood pressure measurement. UK people with diabetes are offered annual eye screening which involves taking a digital image of the retina.
The researchers will apply these methods to images from one of the largest Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes in the country, to see if retinal image feature assessment in combination with measures of diabetic control can predict complications for an individual better, to allow optimised review intervals and targeted prevention