Sunderland project using AI to help eye tests detect diabetes

AI will be used in routine eye scans as part of a scheme to detect early signs of illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

The Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation (NORI) hub at Sunderland University has received £12.2m from the government through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for the project in the hope of diagnosing patients quicker.

Matthew Campbell, interim pro vice-chancellor for health and co-director of NORI, said the money would help the team develop the technology and take it into international markets.

While the tool will initially focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the approach could later be expanded to dementia and strokes.

NORI is one of five new UKRI-backed healthcare hubs using technology to diagnose illnesses.

The other hubs are in Exeter, Southampton and London, which all focus on developing high tech tools.

Science minister Chris McDonald, who visited NORI on Thursday, said he hoped the funding would help patients access treatment quicker.

He said: "Earlier diagnosis means better outcomes for patients and less pressure on our NHS, and technology has a vital role to play."

The technology will use the tiny blood vessels and nerve tissue at the back of the eye, which NORI said can reveal clues about a person's wider health before symptoms appear.

AI will be used to analyse the routine eye scans alongside NHS health records and community data to identify subtle changes which may signal early signs of disease.

Campbell said: "This investment creates a new health innovation ecosystem for the North East.

"We now have the scale to develop technologies, test them in real-world healthcare settings and take them into national and international markets."

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