‘Oculomics’: AI Turns Eye Scans into Full-Body Health Checks

‘Oculomics’: AI Turns Eye Scans into Full-Body Health Checks
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Scientists are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to transform routine eye scans into comprehensive health screenings capable of detecting various diseases throughout the body, a field known as “oculomics”, according to a report by Earth.com.

The technology works by analyzing the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina is unique because it is the only part of the central nervous system where blood vessels can be directly and non-invasively observed. This direct view allows AI algorithms to process thousands of microscopic features within the retina’s neural tissue and vascular system.

AI models have demonstrated high accuracy in using these retinal features to detect early signs of conditions traditionally diagnosed through more complex tests. These conditions include cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic kidney disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Oculomics has the potential to revolutionize primary care and preventative medicine by providing a rapid, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for early disease detection, allowing for earlier intervention and better patient outcomes.