This past May, Topcon announced a partnership with Microsoft. The partnership brings together Microsoft’s network and secure systems, utilizing Topcon’s Harmony clinical image and data management platform to deliver “Healthcare from the Eye,” an initiative to make health care more accessible using AI research and innovation.
Leading these efforts is Topcon’s CEO Ali Tafreshi, who recently sat down with OM for a conversation about the future of AI in health care, which, it turns out, is through the eye
Q: What are the advantages of utilizing AI in eye care diagnostics?
A: The eye is the only organ in the body that can be non-invasively imaged in minutes, in 3D, down to micron-level resolution. It’s got neuronal cells that are part of the [central nervous system] CNS tissue [and a] microvasculature system that’s connected to the carotid artery. Because of these things, we can track the changes related to systemic and neurological diseases earlier in the eye than anywhere else.
Q: What are the next steps in harnessing AI to improve health care?
A: To harness AI, we are going to have to make sure the whole workflow, from end-to-end, in a closed health care system is addressed, and to do that, you have to have a connected environment that’s scalable, cost-effective and secure and safe.
Harmony serves that need because it’s a digital platform that’s now integrated into optometry, ophthalmology, and even primary care practices.
Q: How will AI in eye care diagnostics affect ODs in their day-to-day care?
A: I think, first of all, AI will help to streamline the decision-making process and enable clinicians to make more consistent decisions across the board. I think AI could help with increasing the threshold for accuracy and precision, and help clinicians across the board become more adept at assessing and extracting the right information and insights for that patient. I think AI will also help optometrists to detect diseases earlier because it has the ability to extract insights that can be indicators of early disease. And the earlier you treat the disease, the more efficacious the treatment is. OM
Interested in an "Industry Spotlight?" Email Jennifer.Kirby@conexiant.com.
