Artificial Intelligence May Be Used to Detect Diabetic Retinopathy

Recently, there have been more and more cases of diabetes coming up in the United States. Diabetes takes much away from its victims, which can include limiting their food options and changing their lifestyle to be healthier overall. Diabetes also causes several health conditions to develop if patients aren't carefully managing it. If left untreated, a diabetic is more likely to develop afflictions such as heart disease and in extreme cases, amputation. Another major bodily function that is disrupted by diabetes would be vision. The eyes of a diabetic person are more at risk than the average healthy individual. This problem is so common that “eye doctors recommend that anyone with diabetes get a dilated eye exam at least once a year to check for diabetic retinopathy, even if you don’t have any vision-related symptoms. 'You can have severe disease but not be aware of any changes to the eyes,' says Dr. Lloyd P. Aiello, director of the Beetham Eye Institute at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston” (Vanessa Caceres).

The human eye is a very sensitive organ that is necessary for many everyday functions. Although the eye may be sensitive, the rest of the human body is not as responsive. Trained medical professionals have been utilizing new technologies in an effort to further the progression of accurate eye examinations. No longer science fiction, these new technological practices are being tested and put into use each day. One of these new technologies include the now practical use of artificial intelligence. Unknown to most, “this deep learning technology is the same artificial intelligence that name-brand tech companies, such as Google and Facebook use in their own software,” says Dr. Alan Mendelsohn of Eye Surgeons & Consultants in Hollywood, Florida” (Vanessa Caceres).

Some of the most cutting edge technological companies in the world are producing products that involve the use of artificial intelligence. This advancement in the functionality of experimental technology can seem daunting for some, however, this technology can do much to benefit the world. This form of technology will be a much sought-after commodity in the future. These technologies would also be beneficial because of “the growing number of patients in the world who have diabetes, artificial intelligence is expected to play an increasing role in detecting who has diabetic retinopathy” (Vanessa Caceres). By understanding what artificial intelligence actually is, the negative stigma behind the practice can be dissolved. Also, a further understanding of the current uses for artificial intelligence can without a doubt benefit the diabetic community.

At one point in history, there was a technological revolution that advanced the world of electronic devices. Computer manufacturing companies had been developing near sentient technologies for only so long. As the “mobile revolution” continued to move forward, people wanted more products and devices that would make their lives easier. Science responded to the demands of the world and the “robotic revolution” was then conceived. Along with this new era came a wave of new technologies. For example, “Artificial intelligence is a kind of learning that can be taught to a machine, such as a computer. Nowadays, artificial intelligence, or AI, is used for facial recognition, handwriting recognition and speech recognition, among many other uses” (Vanessa Caceres). With this new technology, the possibilities for human advancement are endless.