Healthcare from the Eye: Using Retinal Scans and AI to Detect Systemic Diseases Early

Optometry is evolving far beyond diagnosing eye conditions—it’s emerging as a powerful tool for early detection of systemic diseases. At the ARVO 2025 Annual Meeting, the newly formed Alliance for Healthcare from the Eye (AHE) introduced a bold vision: leveraging retinal scans and artificial intelligence (AI) to screen for diseases like heart disease, kidney dysfunction, and neurodegeneration—often before symptoms even surface.

The concept—known as oculomics—treats the eye as a window into wider health. By analyzing high-resolution ocular images with AI models, healthcare professionals can identify vascular, neurological, and metabolic indicators. This approach enables proactive risk stratification and early intervention across a coordinated care network involving eye specialists, primary care, and other medical fields.
 

Why This Matters

• Early Detection of Serious Conditions: AI-powered analysis of routine eye data can flag early warning signs of systemic illnesses—long before they become clinically apparent.

• Non-Invasive and Accessible: Scarce, high-resolution retinal imaging is already part of many eye exams—making this approach scalable and minimally disruptive to patients.

• Revolutionizing Care Strategies: This vision aligns with the shift toward multi-channel, proactive care. It's collaborative, efficient, and future-ready.