A recent mobile eye-screening camp in Saswad, Pune, highlighted the benefits of AI in detecting glaucoma. Seventy-one-year-old Shiva, diagnosed with diabetes, was screened, revealing early signs of glaucoma using an AI tool by ophthalmologists at Pune’s clinic. Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, often goes undiagnosed, particularly in low- to middle-income countries where access to specialist care is limited. A study published in Lancet Primary Care emphasizes that AI can enhance early detection and cost-effectively utilize trained non-physician staff to operate low-cost fundus cameras. In a study featuring 671 adults, the AI tool successfully identified 78% of true glaucoma cases, outperforming ophthalmologists in ruling out false positives. India bears a significant burden, accounting for 20% of global glaucoma cases, with approximately 90% undiagnosed. Increasing routine screenings and AI implementation could mitigate this public health challenge, promoting timely interventions and reducing preventable blindness.
