Revolutionising Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: The Transformative Role of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Pakistan is estimated to have the highest age standardised prevalence of diabetes (DM) globally.1 Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is estimated to be present in 28.78% of people with DM in Pakistan.2 DR has 4 stages: mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and proliferative DR (PDR). Maculopathy is defined as DR lesions (exudates or haemorrhages) within one disc diameter of macula. Patients with DM may lose vision from complications of PDR or macular oedema. Early diagnosis and treatment of DR through systematic screening is essential to detect DR early and prevent vision loss. Referable DR (RDR) is a term which encompasses moderate NPDR, severe NPDR, PDR or maculopathy. Vision loss can be prevented if patients with RDR are referred to ophthalmologists for prompt evaluation and treatment.