Eyenuk and AAO partner to bring diabetic retinopathy screening to underserved communities
In the first five months of the program at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, 26% of patients with images gradable by EyeArt tested positive for either more-than-mild or vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
(Image credit: AdobeStock/rocketclips)
Eyenuk is working in collaboration with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and its EyeCare America program to provide eye disease screening for underserved communities in Delaware.
Through this program, primary care providers in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are using Eyenuk’s EyeArt® AI Eye Screening system to autonomously detect diabetic retinopathy. The program serves low-income, underserved, and minority populations who are disproportionately affected by diabetes and its complications.1
The FDA-cleared EyeArt AI system greatly expands the availability of vision-saving eye screenings by making automated AI diagnosis and coordination of care possible in primary care medical practices without the need for a specialist’s review. The system is integrated with retinal imaging cameras and can be operated by clinical support staff to generate a detailed screening report in less than 10 seconds.1
Patients found to have signs of diabetic retinopathy through the EyeArt system will be referred locally, including to volunteer ophthalmologists participating in the Academy’s EyeCare America program for further evaluation and treatment.
Paula Ko, MD, an ophthalmologist and President of the Delaware Academy of Ophthalmologists commented on this initiative in the company’s press release1, saying, “Many patients with diabetes don’t visit an eye doctor regularly, often because they lack access or are unaware of the risks. With the EyeArt system at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, we can give a lot more patients who do not go to the eye doctor access to diabetic eye screening. Our goal is to have other healthcare facilities offer this technology throughout Delaware so all Delawareans will have access to early screening and detection.”
Yvette Gbemudu, MD, a family practice physician at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, which is one of the locations using the Eyenuk platform, said “We are so excited to be a pilot for a program that will truly save the sight of those who might not otherwise have such support. We are hoping that by changing the care of our diabetic patients we can begin to change the vision of diabetics nationwide and eventually those with other eye ailments, including glaucoma. I believe that finding eye problems early will also lead to the individual investing in improving their overall health.”1
Early results reveal widespread disease
In the first five months of the program at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, over one-quarter (26%) of patients with images gradable by EyeArt tested positive for either more-than-mild or vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of accessible screening in reducing preventable blindness among vulnerable populations.1
“Eyenuk is proud to support this initiative by bringing the power of AI to the frontlines of healthcare,” said Bryan Haardt, CEO of Eyenuk in the company’s press release1. He continued, “our mission is to make diabetic eye screening available to all at-risk populations, especially those who face barriers to specialty care. This collaboration with the Academy and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center is a critical step in addressing this public health challenge.”
Through the continued support of Eyenuk and volunteer ophthalmologists in the Academy’s EyeCare America program, this initiative aims to reduce preventable blindness by expanding access to diabetic retinopathy screening across Delaware.1
