Simon Jones: Machine learning from past mistakes

Cascader, the joint artificial intelligence (AI) initiative between Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) and Topcon Healthcare, is perhaps the most tangible example yet of how near the eye health sector is to experiencing fundamental change. 

Detection, screening and management of eye health conditions have been one of the long-term goals of AI, but one of Cascader’s future aims is to build on the concept of oculomics – the use of retinal imaging to uncover insights into systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration and dementia. It’s a truly exciting prospect for practitioners in optometry and ophthalmology.