The test can pave the way for routine Eyecare imaging as screening tools

Scientists conducted one of the largest eye tests in the world to reveal a new view of the thickness of the retina, emphasizing its potential in the early detection of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dementia and multiple sclerosis.

The LED Wehs study, using the latest artificial intelligence technology to analyze over 50,000 eyes, has created volleyball maps in unprecedented details to better understand how the retinal differences combine with various diseases.

Discoveries open new possibilities of using Eyecare’s routine imaging as tools for testing and disease management, like mammagrams for breast cancer.

At first glance

• Innovative AI powered studies have created the most detailed volleyball maps that have ever been produced.

• Wehs used these maps to combine the thinning of the retina with a number of diseases, as well as to identify new genetic factors affecting the thickness of the retina.

• Discoveries can pave the way for routine imaging Eyecare as a tool for screening.

Receiving a window to the brain

Volleyball is part of the central nervous systemwhich also includes the brain and spinal cord. Many diseases are associated with degeneration or disruption of this critical system, including neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Globally, the neurological conditions themselves are one of the main causes of disability and disease, with over 3 billion people or 43% of the world population living with the state associated with the brain.

The main researcher, Dr. Vicki Jackson Wehi, said that the discoveries are expanding the horizons to use retinal imaging as a door to the central nervous system to help deal with diseases.

“We have shown that retinal imaging can act as a brain window, detecting compounds with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and many other states.

Our map measurements reveal new key details about connections between thinning of the retina and the scope of common conditions. “

Dr. Vicki Jackson, expert on statistics and genes, main researcher, IHI

The study also identifies new genetic factors that affect the thickness of the retina, which can play a role in the growth and development of a person’s retina.

“This study emphasizes the potential of volleyball thickness to act as diagnostics biomarker To help detect and track the progress of many diseases. We can now indicate specific volleyball locations that show key changes in some diseases. ”

The International Research Team, headed by Wehs, applied AI methods to a large population of retinal imaging data and compared information about the genetics and health of each person to reveal unprecedented connections with the disease.

The results created 50,000 maps with measurements in over 29,000 locations in the retina, identifying the thinning of the retina associated with 294 genes that play an important role in the disease.

And quick tracking of the diagnostic future

Study Lead and Bioinformatician, Professor Melanie Bahlo AM, said that earlier studies pointed to correlations between the thickness of the retina and the disease, but the discoveries powered by her team in her team discovered a deeper light on the complex spatial retina anatomy and its role in the disease.

“Technologies such as AI Fuel Discovery, and when they are combined with brilliant minds, there is an extraordinary ability to transform data of a large population into far-reaching observations,” said prof. Bahlo, head of the laboratory in the IHEH.

“There has never been time in history in which this powerful combination – technology, large data sets and brilliant minds – combined to develop human health.”

The study strengthens the growing field of glasses (using the eye to diagnose health conditions) as a rising, strong and non -invasive approach to predicting and diagnosing diseases.

Many colleagues participated in the study, including the British Biobank (retinal images), the University of Washington (processing of Imaging AI data); Medical Research Institute (analysis of the disease Association); And also Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London (clinical knowledge).

The research was generously financed by Lowów Medical Research Institute.