Google's DeepMind is teaming up with NHS-funded Moorfields Eye Hospital to research whether machine learning can help the fight against blindness.
The NHS said AI could play a "big role in tackling avoidable sight loss" and the partnership is intended to explore "how cutting edge technologies can help medical research into eye diseases".
This includes macular degeneration, which generally affects the elderly, as well as diabetes-related sight loss.
Machine learning processes will be applied to around a million eye scans to help search for early symptoms of sight loss.
The number of people with sight loss is set to double by 2050, with around two million people in the UK currently living with sight loss – around one in 30. While 360,000 people are registered blind or partially sighted.
By detecting early signs, especially in diabetes, around 98 per cent of sight loss can be prevented.
"Our research with DeepMind has the potential to revolutionise the way professionals carry out eye tests and could lead to earlier detection and treatment of common eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration," said Peng Tee Khaw, director of the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital. "With sight loss predicted to double by the year 2050 it is vital we explore the use of cutting-edge technology to prevent eye disease."
Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind, said the project was part of DeepMind's mission to solve "some of society's biggest challenges".
"Diabetic retinopathy is the fastest growing cause of blindness worldwide," he said. "There are more than 350m sufferers across the planet, so I'm really excited to announce this collaboration with leading researchers at Moorfields."
"Detecting eye diseases as early as possible gives patients the best possible chance of getting the right treatments. I really believe that one day this work will be a great benefit to patients across the NHS. We are proud of our NHS, and this is one of the ways I think we can help nurses and doctors continue to provide world-class care."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
