A recent position paper in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology. Led by Lama Al-Aswad, Professor of Ophthalmology and Irene Heinz Given and John La Porte Given Research Professor of Ophthalmology II, of the Scheie Eye Institute, the work represents a collaboration among researchers from Penn Engineering, Penn Medicine, the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, and Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine in Korea.
With fundus photography enabling the visualization of retina at the back of the eye, the potential of AI in providing systemic disease biomarkers is becoming a reality. When fundus images are of sufficient quantity and quality, it becomes possible to train AI systems to detect elevated HbA1c levels -; an important marker for high blood sugar that is traditionally obtained with blood draws, which indicates a heightened risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This process leverages the emerging field of oculomics, which studies ophthalmic biomarkers to gain insights into systemic health.
In their manuscript, titled "Development of Oculomics Artificial Intelligence for Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Case Study in Fundus Oculomics for HbA1c Assessment and Clinically Relevant Considerations for Clinicians," this multi-institutional team explores the potential of oculomics and highlights pertinent topics for clinicians to cons.