AI scans of the eye can predict risk of cardiac disease

Published: 17 November 2022

Scans of the eye produced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) can predict an individual’s risk of cardiac disease, according to new research led by Professor Alicja Rudnicka of St George’s Population Health Research Institute.

Images of the network of veins and arteries in the retina can accurately predict risk of death from circulatory disorders including cardiac disease in under a minute. The technique uses Artificial Intelligence to extract information on the width, area and curvature of blood vessels in the retina which are strong predictors of death from circulatory disease.

The inexpensive, accessible and non-invasive procedure opens the door to cardiovascular health being checked as part of a routine visit to an optician where retinal imaging is already common practice in the UK and the US.

Professor Rudnicka, who was lead author of the study, says, “This AI tool could let someone know in 60 seconds or less their level of risk and, if someone learned their risk was higher than expected, they could be prescribed by their general practitioner an appropriate intervention such as a statin to lower their cholesterol levels or offered another intervention.

“It has the potential for reaching a higher proportion of the population in the community because of ‘high street’ availability. It is highly likely to help prolong disease-free status in an ever-ageing population with increasing comorbidities, and assist with minimising healthcare costs associated with lifelong vascular diseases.

“Essentially, it could end up improving cardiovascular health and save lives.”

The paper detailing the study has been published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology and can also be viewed here.