In a groundbreaking study, one of the largest of its kind, researchers have unveiled significant findings about retinal thickness and its role in early disease detection. The study, executed by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), employed state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology to analyze more than 50,000 eyes. The results provided an unprecedentedly detailed mapping of the retina, offering new insights into how retinal variances are linked to different diseases.
This breakthrough could revolutionize the way we screen for and manage diseases. The same way mammograms have become pivotal in breast cancer detection, routine eye care imaging could become an essential tool in disease screening.
The retina, a part of the central nervous system along with the brain and spinal cord, is often affected by degeneration or disruption in many diseases. These include neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and metabolic disorders like diabetes. Neurological disorders are a leading cause of disability and illness worldwide, affecting over 43% of the global population.
The study’s lead researcher, Dr Vicki Jackson of WEHI, emphasized the potential of retinal imaging as a gateway to the central nervous system for disease management. The research indicates that retinal imaging can serve as a diagnostic biomarker, helping to detect and monitor the progression of countless diseases. The study also identified new genetic influencers on retinal thickness, which likely contribute to retinal growth and development.
The international research team used AI techniques to analyze large-scale population data of retinal imaging. They compared this data with each individual’s genetics and health records, revealing previously unknown disease links. Their findings resulted in the creation of 50,000 maps, featuring measurements at over 29,000 locations across the retina.
Study leader and bioinformatician, Professor Melanie Bahlo, highlighted the role of AI in generating deeper insights into the intricate spatial anatomy of the retina and its connection to disease. She pointed out the unprecedented convergence of technology, big data, and brilliant minds in advancing human health.
The study was a collaborative effort, involving several notable institutions including the UK Biobank, University of Washington, the Lowy Medical Research Institute, Moorfields Eye Hospital, and University College London. The research was generously funded by the Lowy Medical Research Institute.
This pioneering research underscores the increasingly prominent role of oculomics, the study of using the eye to diagnose health conditions. This emerging, powerful, and non-invasive method holds great promise for predicting and diagnosing diseases.
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