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India's AI Eye-Screening: How New Tech Battles Diabetes Blindness

India has rolled out its first AI-powered program to screen communities for diabetic retinopathy. It's a team effort led by the Armed Forces Medical Services and top medical institutes. The system uses a smart web tool to quickly analyze eye images and spot problems early. This pilot project could become a nationwide model to prevent blindness caused by diabetes.

Key Points: India Launches AI-Driven Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Program

  • Initiative launched by AFMS, AIIMS, and Health Ministry to curb diabetes-related vision loss
  • Uses MadhuNetrAI web tool for automated screening and grading of retinal images
  • Pilot phase covers seven diverse locations from Pune to Kochi for large-scale screening
  • Aims to bridge detection gap, as only 10% of diabetics previously had retinal exams
2 min read

India launches AI-driven community screening for diabetic retinopathy

India launches first AI-driven community screening for diabetic retinopathy, aiming for early detection and real-time national health data to prevent vision loss.

"marks a significant step towards strengthening early detection of diabetic eye disease and building a real-time national health intelligence framework - Ministry of Defence"

New Delhi, Dec 17

In a bid to curb the rising vision loss cases due to diabetes, India has launched the first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven community screening programme for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).

The initiative is launched by the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), in collaboration with the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (RPC), AIIMS, and the eHealth AI Unit of the Health Ministry.

It "marks a significant step towards strengthening early detection of diabetic eye disease and building a real-time national health intelligence framework", said the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Trained medical officers, nursing staff, and healthcare assistants will conduct screening using MadhuNetrAI -- the web-based AI tool developed by RPC.

The platform facilitates automated screening, grading, and triaging of retinal images captured using handheld fundus cameras.

The system also generates real-time data on disease prevalence and geographic distribution, supporting evidence-based planning and policy formulation.

“As part of the pilot phase, the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) will implement the initiative at seven locations -- Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dharamshala, Gaya, Jorhat, and Kochi -- covering metropolitan, rural, hilly, coastal, and remote regions. Personnel from each site will undergo intensive training at RPC, AIIMS, followed by large-scale community screening,” the Ministry said.

Patients identified with diabetic retinopathy will be referred for optimal diabetic management. And cases of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy will be referred to vitreo-retina specialists at designated district hospitals.

District health administrations will coordinate referral mechanisms and integrate DR management within existing non-communicable disease programmes to ensure continuity of care.

According to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, 2019, conducted by RPC, nearly 12 per cent of the population aged 50 years and above had diabetes.

Among them, approximately 17 per cent had diabetic retinopathy. Alarmingly, only about 10 per cent of people with diabetes had ever undergone a retinal examination for diabetic retinopathy, reflecting a significant gap in early detection and preventive care.

The new initiative is envisaged as a scalable and replicable model, demonstrating effective integration of AI-enabled solutions into public health systems through the combined efforts of AFMS, AIIMS, and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the MoD said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great use of technology for public health. The stats are alarming - only 10% got screened! MadhuNetrAI sounds promising. But the real test will be in the rural and remote areas mentioned in the pilot. Infrastructure and internet connectivity can be big hurdles.
D
David E
Collaborating with AIIMS and the Armed Forces medical services is a smart move. They have the discipline and reach. Generating real-time data for policy is crucial. Other countries should look at this model for managing NCDs.
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Aman W
While the tech is impressive, I hope the human element isn't lost. Training healthcare workers is key, but what about patient awareness? Many in my village don't even know diabetes can affect eyesight. Screening is step one, education is step zero.
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Shreya B
Finally! A proactive approach. We are so reactive with healthcare. Catching this early can save so many people from blindness and reduce the burden on our hospitals. Proud to see Indian institutions like AIIMS leading this. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
The pilot locations are well chosen - covering different terrains. Hope the referral system to district hospitals works smoothly. Often the gap is in the follow-up. The success will depend on how well the district health administrations coordinate.
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Nisha Z

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