Ophthalmology stands at the forefront of specialities to be galvanised by artificial intelligence (AI). As the speciality is technology-driven, and with rapid non-invasive scans an important part of the diagnostic process, there is tremendous potential in applying deep learning in AI to retinal photographs and optical coherence tomography. So far, AI has mainly targeted diseases with high incidence and mortality, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Combining the 'Big Data' in imaging with advances in telemedicine means that AI can be a critical tool in the screening, diagnosis and management of eye disease. There are still some technical and ethical challenges before AI in Ophthalmology becomes integrated within the speciality, nevertheless Deep Learning algorithms can transform the practice of Ophthalmology in the future. Having written an ophthalmology chapter on the first textbook on Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Medicine (Wiley, 2023), the speaker will review the current state, ambitions and potential challenges for AI within Ophthalmology.

Learning outcome:

Practitioners will be updated on advances in artificial intelligence in eye care.