A new study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) could help detect the common eye condition glaucoma, while reducing the number of unnecessary referrals to specialists.
The study, published in the Lancet Primary Care, used an AI tool to analyse images of the eye to screen 671 people, aged between 55 and 65, for glaucoma.
Researchers in Portugal found that the AI tool correctly detected 78% of people who had glaucoma, compared to the 75% identified by doctors.
The technology also ruled out the condition in 95% of people who did not have it, compared to 91% by medics.
Furthermore, the AI tool referred 66 people to specialists compared to 118 referrals made by eye doctors, and glaucoma was then diagnosed in 40 patients.
In light of this exciting update, we spoke to Prof Clare O’Donnell, registered optometrist and head of eye sciences and optometry at Optegra, who highlighted six key things that everyone should know about this common eye condition.
1. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases
“Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the nerve at the back of the eye called the optic nerve, and this is important because this nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain,” explains O’Donnell.
It’s most common in adults aged 50 and over and can cause vision loss if it’s not diagnosed and treated early, according to the NHS website.
“The most common type of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma and that tends to develop really slowly, sometimes over a number of years, and initially affects your side vision and can often go undiagnosed for quite a long time if people aren’t having routine eye examinations,” says O’Donnell.
“Other types include angle-closure glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma and secondary glaucoma, and the latter can be caused or related to other eye conditions, health conditions or medication.”
2. Age and family history are significant risk factors for developing glaucoma
“Glaucoma is thought to affect about 3% of the population over the age of 40 in the UK [according to a study led by UCL and Moorfields researchers],” says O’Donnell. “If you’ve got a close relative with glaucoma, maybe a parent or a sibling, you might be entitled to a government-funded eye examination when when you are aged 40 and over.”
3. Glaucoma is often referred to as the ‘silent thief of sight’
“Glaucoma is sometimes called the ‘silent thief of sight’ because it’s often painless,” highlights O’Donnell. “At first it usually starts to affect the side vision – the peripheral vision – so we often don’t notice changes to [it] until the later stages of the disease when there has already been significant damage to the vision.”
4. Signs of angle-closure glaucoma tend to be more dramatic and severe
“Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when there is a sudden and dramatic increase in the pressure inside the eye and, with this particular type of glaucoma, patients can feel very unwell quite quickly,” says O’Donnell. “They might notice that their eye is red and painful, and in severe cases, it can lead to other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.”
5. Glaucoma is treatable
“When somebody is diagnosed with glaucoma, the primary aim of the treatment is to reduce the pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve,” explains O’Donnell.
This can be achieved in a number of different ways, including eye drops.
“In the past, eye drops were the main treatment offered to patients,” says O’Donnell.
Eye drops help to decrease the amount of fluid in the eye and help it drain, according to the NHS website.
“However, nowadays, there are other treatments that can be used in combination with drops or as standalone, such as laser therapy and surgery,” says O’Donnell.
“So, the great news is there are very effective treatments available that are minimally invasive, and a clinician will weigh up your particular circumstances and design a treatment plan that is best tailored to you. The most effective treatments, like other things, are delivered early in the disease process.”
6. Having routine eye tests can detect glaucoma early
“In order to detect things like glaucoma, we need to proactively get our eyes examined routinely, because one of the things that the optometrist or the optician will do are some screening tests for glaucoma,” says O’Donnell.
“In the UK, we’re advised to have a routine eye check-up at least every two years, and your optician will advise you during your eye examination when your next eye test is due. If they feel that there’s something about your situation that warrants an earlier appointment, they will let you know.”
