14 July 2024
A mobile eye screening service that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been used to screen people living in remote Western Australian communities for diabetic retinopathy.
The mobile service, named Warlu AI, launched in August 2023 and is being delivered in Pilbara by Lions Outback Vision – which was founded by associate professor Angus Turner, of the University of Western Australia.
Turner previously partnered with Google Health, which developed the AI software, to test the screening technology in 864 Aboriginal patients living in Western Australia.
The results of the study found that the AI screening performance was equal to, and often better than, that of retinal specialists in detecting diabetic retinopathy among Aboriginal patients.
Turner shared that the deployment of the screening van had made an immediate difference to screening rates and awareness in remote communities.
“The Sprinter van and this new technology gives us the opportunity to spend more time in remote locations that we’ve normally only visited briefly,” he said.
“It gives us the chance to build the trust that you need with the community, and to spend more time with people to make sure they really understand the risk of losing their eyesight if they don’t keep up with regular eye checks,” Turner highlighted.
Turner added that the Warlu AI project also has the potential to make progress in the detection of other health conditions among remote populations.
“The eye can also tell us about the kidneys and the heart because we can see the veins and arteries in the eye,” he shared.
“We’re in a unique position now to collaborate with leaders in foundation models to fine-tune systems in a real-world environment, using retinal photos to determine the risks of other health issues such as anaemia, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease,” Turner said.
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