Industry

Oculomics to usher in more proactive eye care

Healio Optometry2d ago1 min read

PHOENIX — Optometrists are set to play a key role in managing chronic conditions and monitoring systemic disease risk through the emerging field of oculomics, according to a speaker at Optometry’s Meeting.“Right now ... pretty much what we do is reactive care. We wait for something to happen before doing something about it,” Roya Attar, OD, MBA, DHA, associate professor and director of optometric services at University of Mississippi Medical Center, said during a presentation. “AI, oculomics and this whole new field is going to allow us to be more proactive.”The concept behind oculomics is to

Read full article on Healio Optometry

AI Summary

Quick Take

Optometrists are poised to transition from reactive to proactive care by leveraging 'oculomics,' an emerging field that uses AI and ocular biomarkers to monitor systemic disease risk. Speaking at Optometry’s Meeting, Dr. Roya Attar emphasized that this shift will allow clinicians to identify chronic conditions and systemic health threats before they manifest clinically.

Why It Matters

The eye has long been recognized as a window into systemic health, but oculomics formalizes this by using advanced imaging and AI to quantify risk for cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic diseases. This evolution moves the optometrist beyond vision correction and localized eye disease into a central role within the broader healthcare ecosystem. As these technologies integrate into primary eye care, the profession can shift from treating existing damage to preventing systemic complications, significantly increasing the clinical value of a standard eye exam.

Key Details

Oculomics utilizes the eye as a non-invasive source of biomarkers to detect and monitor systemic health issues.
Artificial Intelligence is the primary engine enabling the analysis of complex ocular data for predictive health insights.
The current model of eye care is largely reactive, focusing on treating conditions after they have already developed.
Optometrists are identified as the key providers to implement these proactive screenings due to their access to advanced diagnostic imaging.
The field aims to bridge the gap between optometry and systemic medicine, such as cardiology and neurology.

Practice Implications

Clinicians should prepare for a future where retinal imaging serves as a screening tool for systemic risk, requiring a deeper understanding of AI-driven diagnostic reports. This may necessitate the development of more robust referral networks with primary care physicians and specialists to manage patients identified as high-risk through ocular biomarkers.

Who's Affected

OptometristsPractice OwnersPrimary Care PhysiciansMedical ResearchersAI Diagnostic Developers

What's Next

As AI-integrated imaging platforms continue to evolve, the industry can expect a push for clinical guidelines and potentially new billing structures that recognize the optometrist's role in systemic disease monitoring. Future developments will likely focus on validating specific ocular markers for conditions like Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease.

AI-generated summary — always read the original source for full context

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.