Scientists test AI system for detecting AMD

A new study published in Scientific Reports has evaluated the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) system in detecting referable age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Researchers from iHealthscreen, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary at Mount Sinai and New York University assessed the ability of an AI system to detect AMD in 845 adults over the age of 50 from colour fundus photographs. The performance of the iPredict-AMD system was compared to an assessment by expert graders.

The scientists reported the iPredict-AMD system had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 83% in identifying referable AMD.

“This prospective clinical study demonstrates that iPredict-AMD has consistent accuracy and a clinically meaningful benefit in the detection of more than early AMD,” the researchers highlighted.

They noted that the AI system is low-cost and can be easily operated. A screening programme incorporating the technology would not require dilation because iPredict-AMD uses a non-mydriatic camera, DRSPlus.

“The proposed AMD analysis tool used in conjunction with the DRSPlus camera with high-speed, fully automated, and easy-to-use features can be safely and rapidly deployed in a broad range of clinical settings, thus being an effective tool for AMD screening and blindness prevention,” the authors concluded.