In a significant leap towards combating blindness in India, the Rajendra Prasad Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has developed an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based mobile application designed to swiftly detect cases of corneal opacity. 

This condition, characterised by the cornea's loss of transparency due to scarring, can lead to a cloudy appearance and potential vision loss, depending on the severity and location of the opacity.

Dr. Kavish Gupta, a key figure in the development of this groundbreaking app, highlighted the pressing issue of corneal opacity in India. "Whiteness in the pupils is one of the leading causes of blindness in our country," Dr. Gupta explained.

"Many corneal transplants are necessitated by this condition, which, if left untreated, often progresses to blindness."

Dr. Gupta emphasised the lack of awareness and access to treatment among those affected. "In many cases, individuals with pupil whiteness are unaware of their condition and the treatment options available to them. This app is designed to bridge that gap, enabling early detection and facilitating access to necessary care."

The AI-driven app is not only intended for use by doctors but also by community health workers, such as ASHA workers, who can play a crucial role in early detection. "These workers can utilise the app to take images of individuals' eyes, with the AI system then analyzing the photos to identify signs of corneal opacity," Dr. Gupta stressed.

The development of the app involved an extensive national survey, during which 2,000 eye images were captured and used to train the AI modules. The results were promising, with the app achieving an impressive 94% accuracy rate when compared to manual diagnosis by ophthalmologists.

"The AI's findings correlated well with those of the ophthalmologists, indicating its potential to accurately identify cases requiring corneal transplants," Dr. Gupta asserted.

"Our goal is to expand the use of this app, enabling more patients in need to receive timely transplants at AIIMS." This AI-powered innovation represents a significant step forward in the fight against blindness, offering hope to countless individuals across India.