Can AI detect certain diseases by looking at images of eyes ?

AI systems can detect certain diseases by analyzing images of the eyes, particularly using retinal scans. They have demonstrated high accuracy in identifying conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Some models can even predict systemic diseases like hypertension and cardiovascular risk from retinal images. These tools are increasingly being integrated into clinical settings to support early diagnosis and screening.

— Enriched May 13, 2026 · Source: Nature Medicine

AI can already detect certain diseases by examining retinal images with high accuracy. Systems based on deep learning have shown strong performance for diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and even neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, often matching or exceeding expert clinicians on specific diagnostic tasks. These models rely on large labeled datasets of fundus photographs, OCT scans, and sometimes multi-modal imaging to identify subtle vascular, structural, and texture changes linked to disease. Regulatory-cleared tools are in clinical use today, though widespread adoption depends on validation across diverse populations and integration into existing ophthalmic workflows.

— Enriched May 13, 2026 · Source: National Eye Institute