- Researchers from University Hospital Bonn, Sankara Eye Foundation India, and Microsoft Research India join forces to improve cataract surgery outcomes in underdeveloped areas.
- With cataracts affecting 70 million people globally, the project aims to tackle the high incidence of blindness in the Global South, where cases are ten times more common.
- By developing a deep learning algorithm to analyze surgical videos, the team seeks to enhance training and surgical results, potentially reducing the 30 to 50 percent unsatisfactory outcomes in these regions.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from University Hospital Bonn, Sankara Eye Foundation India, and Microsoft Research India are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize cataract surgery in underdeveloped regions. Cataracts, the leading cause of blindness worldwide, disproportionately affect populations in the Global South, where access to quality healthcare and training is limited.
The initiative focuses on developing a deep learning algorithm capable of analyzing surgical videos recorded by smartphones attached to surgical microscopes. These low-cost recordings offer a targeted solution to improve training and outcomes, addressing the significant challenges faced in remote and underprivileged areas. Supported by funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation, this project aims to bridge the healthcare gap between high-income countries and the Global South. By harnessing the power of AI, researchers aspire to enhance the efficacy of cataract surgeries and combat the prevalence of blindness in these underserved regions.
