Subscribe to Newsletter
Subspecialties Retina, Basic & Translational Research, Imaging & Diagnostics, Business and Innovation

One Size Treats One

“One size fits all” approaches often show that, when you try to please everybody, you end up meeting the needs of very few. A good example of this is neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) therapeutics, where, despite the drastic impact of VEGF inhibitors, the current lack of tools for quantifying retinal fluid and precisely modeling its location means that clinicians can’t tailor treatments to individual patients and prevent over- or undertreatment, resulting in disappointing real-world outcomes.

Looking to surmount this, researchers from the Medical University of Vienna’s Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry are looking to AI to automate quantitative fluid volume measurement, enhancing treatment efficacy over the conventional qualitative fluid assessment approach to nAMD management (1). The research team outlined a protocol for a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-masked phase III clinical trial that involves dividing 290 active nAMD patients into two test groups and assessing treatment patterns and visual acuity over the course of a year.

For the group receiving AI-assisted treatment, automated measurement of the fluid volumes in all retinal compartments, including intraretinal and subretinal fluid, will be taken and used as an objective tool in making retreatment decisions. This will mark the first time automated AI algorithms of this kind are implemented into real-world practice and, although results are yet to be gathered, the researchers hope that such a study could be the first steps toward optimized treatment regimens for all nAMD patients. This would increase healthcare systems’ treatment capacity by reducing the number of injections needed without affecting visual benefit or patient safety, ultimately reducing the burden of vision loss for all.

Moving forward and developing this technology, the team has formed a new company, RetInSight, a development of the work done at the University of Vienna which combines clinical expertise with technological innovation. RetInSight seeks to scale the research into an integrated management platform for nAMD. This includes not just the fluid monitor that can now be integrated into the clinical routine, (and is compatible with all major OCT technology) but also a wider AI platform that gives precise, real time analysis in any location. With these AI tools, the work of RetInSight represents the next evolution in managing and monitoring nAMD.

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Ophthalmologist and its sponsors.

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. LM Coulibaly et al., Eye (Lond), [Online ahead of print] (2022). PMID: 35790835.
About the Author
Oscelle Boye

Associate Editor, The Ophthalmologist

I have always been fascinated by stories. During my biomedical sciences degree, though I enjoyed wet lab sessions, I was truly in my element when sitting down to write up my results and find the stories within the data. Working at Texere gives me the opportunity to delve into a plethora of interesting stories, sharing them with a wide audience as I go.

Related Product Profiles
Uncover the Unique DNA of SPECTRALIS®

| Contributed by Heidelberg Engineering

Subspecialties Retina
ForeseeHome® – remote monitoring to help detect wet AMD earlier and improve outcomes

| Contributed by Notal Vision

Product Profiles

Access our product directory to see the latest products and services from our industry partners

Here
Most Popular
Register to The Ophthalmologist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Ophthalmologist magazine

Register

Disclaimer

The Ophthalmologist website is intended solely for the eyes of healthcare professionals. Please confirm below: