Paisan Ruamviboonsuk

Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand; Scientific Secretary, Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society.

Make a bold prediction for the future of ophthalmology.

Retinal photographs will be more useful than ever in healthcare – they may even replace blood tests as a noninvasive procedure to check general health predicted by AI. The cameras may too become the most important device in clinics of general practitioners as well. 

How do you think AI and machine learning will impact ophthalmology?

Though AI has been used in ophthalmology for many years now, its future facing developments are starting to garner significant attention. Implementation remains an issue, however. In the future, we must ensure our traditional, manual practices are effectively translated into digital workflows for AI integration to get the best out of the most promising opportunity.

The use of teleophthalmology, combined with AI, will make home monitoring of certain eye diseases a reality. This means our eye clinics will be attended by only those who need to be examined and treated by ophthalmologists. Treatment outcomes can also be improved because AI may help us decide on the right option, though we may not need to rely on its prediction. We can certainly consider it; I personally see the brighter side of AI.