Automated deep learning use in eye care

Automated deep learning could provide the opportunity to extend the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in eye and other types of healthcare.

Researchers from institutions including Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology used a machine-learning algorithm that can learn to build other machine-learning systems.

This was to build an algorithm to analyse medical images and provide diagnoses, demonstrating a diagnostic performance similar to top AI systems.

Consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital Pearse Keane said: ‘If this technology can be used more widely – in particular by healthcare professionals without computer programming experience – it will really speed up the development of these systems with the potential for significant patient benefits. The process needs refining and regulation, but our results show promise for the future expansion of AI in medical diagnosis.’