All articles tagged with #eye scans
Oculomics is an emerging field that uses AI and high-resolution retinal images to detect systemic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders early, by analyzing subtle eye features that reflect overall health, potentially transforming preventive medicine.
3D eye scans using optical coherence tomography (OCT) can provide valuable insights into kidney health by detecting changes in the retina. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that patients with chronic kidney disease had thinner retinas compared to healthy volunteers, and the thinning progressed as kidney function declined. The technology has the potential to support early diagnosis and monitoring of kidney disease, which often progresses without symptoms in the early stages. Regular eye checks could aid in early detection, lifestyle changes, and the development of new drugs. Further research and clinical trials are needed before routine use.
The 2023 Lasker Awards were given to scientists who made significant advancements in the diagnosis of eye diseases and the prediction of cellular protein structure. James G. Fujimoto of MIT was awarded for his contribution to the invention of optical coherence tomography (OCT), an eye-scanning technology that can detect eye diseases earlier than previous methods, potentially preventing blindness. Additionally, the London-based AI lab DeepMind received an award for their work on protein folding, which has revolutionized the understanding of diseases and drug discovery. Dr. Piet Borst was recognized for his discoveries about parasitic diseases and cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.
Researchers from London's Moorfields Eye Hospital have used artificial intelligence to predict Parkinson's disease through eye scans, providing an average warning of seven years before diagnosis. The high-tech 3-D scan, known as optical coherence tomography, analyzes the patient's retina with high precision. Reduced thickness in specific optical layers is associated with Parkinson's. The technology also shows potential for detecting other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Early detection could allow for lifestyle changes and delay the onset of these conditions.
Researchers have identified markers in eye scans that can detect the presence of Parkinson's disease an average of seven years before clinical symptoms appear. Using artificial intelligence to analyze retinal imaging, the study found these early indicators of Parkinson's, offering hope for early intervention and prevention of the disease. This innovative field of "oculomics" has previously identified signs of other neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia, through eye scans.