Researchers in Australia use AI, eye scans to detect chronic diseases earlier

MELBOURNE, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Australia are developing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that analyzes retinal images to detect chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and kidney conditions earlier and more accurately.

The research project is looking to develop a foundational AI model capable of detecting a wide range of systemic diseases from retinal images, according to a statement released Thursday by Australia's Monash University, which led the study.

By using advanced AI to analyze retinal images linked with health data from hundreds of thousands, the team aims to generate accurate, non-invasive screening tools for earlier diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, it said, adding existing tools for detecting these conditions are often insufficiently personalized, invasive, or too costly to be widely used.

Instead of relying on onerous manual analysis of large image datasets, the project uses advanced AI on de-identified, linked, decades-long data to build a multimodal model that detects multiple systemic diseases more comprehensively than single-disease approaches, said Monash University Associate Professor Ge Zongyuan.

Optain Health President Zachary Tan, who co-led the study, said early identification through retinal imaging could enable timelier interventions and shift healthcare "towards prevention rather than treatment." ■