News: India launched its first AI-driven community screening programme for diabetic retinopathy to strengthen early detection and real-time health intelligence.
About India’s First AI-Driven Community Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy
- Launched by: It has been launched by The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), in collaboration with the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (RPC), AIIMS, and the eHealth AI Unit of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
- Anchored by: The programme is anchored by MadhuNetrAI, a web-based Artificial Intelligence tool developed by the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences.
- Aim: The programme aims to strengthen early detection of diabetic retinopathy and support evidence-based planning through real-time national health intelligence.
- Key features:
- AI platform: MadhuNetrAI facilitates automated screening, grading and triaging of retinal images.
- Referral pathway: Identified patients are referred for optimal diabetic management, while vision-threatening cases are referred to vitreo-retina specialists at district hospitals.
- Real-time intelligence: The system generates real-time data on prevalence and geographic distribution to support planning and policy formulation.
- As part of the pilot phase, the initiative is implemented at 7 locations (Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dharamshala, Gaya, Jorhat, and Kochi) covering metropolitan, rural, hilly, coastal, and remote regions.
About Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that causes changes to the blood vessels in the part of your eye called the retina.
- Retina is the lining at the back of the eye that changes light into images.
- The blood vessels can swell, leak fluid, or bleed, which often leads to vision changes or blindness.
- It usually affects both eyes.
- When left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can scar and damage the retina.
- Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss for people with diabetes.
- It’s the leading cause of blindness for all adults in many countries today.
