The Department of Ophthalmology creatively implements advanced technology in our field—making it accessible.
In 2018, Lama Al-Aswad, MD, MPH was featured on Glaucoma 360 and the American Academy of Ophthalmology website, sharing her views on incorporating artificial intelligence in ophthalmologic care. 6 years later, artificial intelligence has exploded in the healthcare environment—in interest, progress, and—with the likes of Dr. Al-Aswad—practice.
By employing AI-guided image analysis from state-of-the-art cameras, eyeSITE is set to revolutionize the early detection and prevention of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that, if left unchecked, spirals into irreversible blindness.
Its mission: to ensure that the technological advancements they introduce are accessible, practical, and transformative for clinics everywhere.
Currently, a mere 62% of those with diabetes undergo screening for retinopathy, highlighting a critical gap in patient care. The eyeSITE project aims to bridge this chasm, proposing easy-to-implement procedures that utilize advanced cameras for swift and efficient screening and diagnosis. This initiative stands as a testament to the power of artificial intelligence to tackle old problems with new solutions, aiming not just to catch diabetic retinopathy earlier but to significantly reduce the cost of care and the burden of blindness on individuals and society at large.
The University of Pennsylvania's Ophthalmology Department's initiative, "Diabetic Eye Screening Interventions with Teleretinal Exams in Primary Care (eyeSITE)," led by Lama Al-Aswad, MD, MPH, has been selected for the 2024 Penn Innovation Accelerator Program. This project is aimed at employing AI-enabled image analysis to facilitate early intervention and prevent blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy. It will receive comprehensive support from the Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation (CHTI), representing a significant effort to combat one of the leading causes of blindness in working-age adults in developed countries through innovative AI applications.
This prestigious selection affirms Penn Medicine's commitment to leveraging AI for significant health outcomes, highlighting the critical role of artificial intelligence in advancing healthcare solutions and continuing a tradition of innovation and excellence in patient care and clinical efficiency.
by Maressa Park