Automated Digital Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Screening System (ADDRESS)
Lead Participant:
RETINASCAN LTD
Abstract
The ADDRESS project will enable Seon Diagnostics Limited (SDL) to build upon extensive research and development activity to date and create the next generation system to automatically detect retinal abnormalities that are diabetic retinopathy in people living with diabetes.
Every one of the estimated 460 million people living with diabetes1 is at risk of developing complications that can lead to damage to the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye (the retina). Undetected and untreated, this damage can lead to sight impairment and even blindness.
Early detection is achieved through routine photography of the retina and the examination of these photographs by highly skilled practitioners who can spot the very early signs of problems and refer the patient to an eye clinic. Early detection and treatment all but eliminates the risk of severe sight impairment.
In a handful of countries, diabetic eye screening programmes (DESPs) have been established and these have proved very successful. DESPs are, however, costly to run and there is a world-wide shortage of skilled practitioners to staff them. Consequently, the vast majority of those living with diabetes do not have routine eye examinations and are at risk.
Existing automated systems to detect diabetic retinopathy have a number of limitations that have hampered their uptake. The solution that SDL is developing will overcome these limitations in a unique and proprietary way, allowing the company to establish itself as market leader in automated eye screening.
The key output of the ADDRESS project is the proof of concept for an automated system that will enable (1) existing DESPs to overcome the shortage of trained practitioners and substantially lower their running costs and (2) countries where no DESP exists to establish one at low cost and with limited human resources.
At the close of the project, the technology (named SeonDx-Retina) will be ready for submission to regulatory authorities for clearance to be commercialised.
Every one of the estimated 460 million people living with diabetes1 is at risk of developing complications that can lead to damage to the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye (the retina). Undetected and untreated, this damage can lead to sight impairment and even blindness.
Early detection is achieved through routine photography of the retina and the examination of these photographs by highly skilled practitioners who can spot the very early signs of problems and refer the patient to an eye clinic. Early detection and treatment all but eliminates the risk of severe sight impairment.
In a handful of countries, diabetic eye screening programmes (DESPs) have been established and these have proved very successful. DESPs are, however, costly to run and there is a world-wide shortage of skilled practitioners to staff them. Consequently, the vast majority of those living with diabetes do not have routine eye examinations and are at risk.
Existing automated systems to detect diabetic retinopathy have a number of limitations that have hampered their uptake. The solution that SDL is developing will overcome these limitations in a unique and proprietary way, allowing the company to establish itself as market leader in automated eye screening.
The key output of the ADDRESS project is the proof of concept for an automated system that will enable (1) existing DESPs to overcome the shortage of trained practitioners and substantially lower their running costs and (2) countries where no DESP exists to establish one at low cost and with limited human resources.
At the close of the project, the technology (named SeonDx-Retina) will be ready for submission to regulatory authorities for clearance to be commercialised.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| RETINASCAN LTD | £499,656 | £ 349,759 |
Participant |
||
| INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
| David Jackson (Project Manager) |