AI-supported test predicts eye disease three years before symptoms

A pioneering new eye test, developed by scientists at UCL in collaboration with the Western Eye Hospital, London, may predict wet AMD, a leading cause of severe sight loss, three years before symptoms develop. Researchers hope their test could be used to identify the disease early enough so that treatment can effectively prevent any vision loss. The findings of the study, funded by Wellcome, are published today in Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics . Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), also known as macular disease, is the most common cause of permanent and severe sight loss in the UK. Currently the diagnosis of wet AMD relies on a person developing symptoms, which then leads them to seek advice from a clinician. Initially, someone with wet AMD would notice distortion in their vision, normally interfering with their reading. Very quickly, this can progress to complete central vision loss, which may be extremely troubling to elderly patients who will fear blindness and loss of independence.