OIC's Chris Malicdem demonstrating the new Eyetelligence software platform at CCLS 2024

Taking pride of place on one side of Ophthalmic Instrument Company’s stand at CCLS NZ was a simple portable fundus camera and laptop, designed to demonstrate Optain’s Eyetelligence software platform. The artificial intelligence (AI) software can be paired with most practice fundus cameras to analyse patients’ digital retinal images, explained OIC’s Chris Malicdem.

Trained on more than one million retinal images, with a clinically proven accuracy of 95%, the Eyetelligence software can help detect early glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, neovascular age-related macular degeneration and even screen for cardiovascular disease risk, reported Optain. “It sets a new benchmark in affordable disease screening tools, while its evidence-based reporting empowers clinicians to make informed decisions with speed, accuracy and confidence.”

When an anomaly is spotted, the data can be easily printed out and sent as a pdf file to an ophthalmologist as part of a referral, said Malicdem. It adds confidence and accuracy to referrals, as it removes human error, he said. “Anything new that can help optometrists accurately diagnose and manage their patients is exciting.”