Using AI to predict risk of osteoporosis from retinal scans

Researchers have used an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that calculates retinal biological ageing to assess an individual’s risk of osteoporosis from retinal scans.

Writing in PLOS Digital Health, the scientists described how they used the RetiAGE algorithm to stratify individuals by osteoporosis risk.

By applying the algorithm to retinal scans from individuals within the Singapore PIONEER study and UK Biobank study, the researchers shared that retinal biological ageing may reflect broader ageing processes related to skeletal health.

Within the Singapore study, an older retinal biological age was associated with lower mineral bone density and higher fracture risk scores.

The UK research found that an older retinal biological age predicted a higher risk of developing osteoporosis over time.

The researchers concluded that RetiAGE could provide a repeatable screening method for low mineral bone density.

“Retinal imaging may provide a simple, non-invasive, and accessible way to support opportunistic screening for osteoporosis risk,” the authors noted.