‘The Patient Will See You Now’ — How AI is Revolutionizing Eye Care and Empowering Patients

patients
Patients empowered by data can direct their own health care. Photo Credit: Getty Images

In a health care landscape that often feels to patients they are mere passengers along for the ride, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative influence, one that shifts control into patients’ hands. Nearly a decade ago, in The Patient Will See You Now,1 cardiologist Eric Topol, MD, envisioned a health care system in which patients could direct their care, empowered by data sharing and advanced technology.

 

In eye care, we are beginning to see this vision take shape. AI is transforming diagnosis, treatment, patient education, and engagement, positioning patients at the center of their care journey and giving them unprecedented access to tools that help manage their eye health.

 

AI and the Delivery of Patient-Centric Eye Care

Traditionally, eye care has been delivered in a highly structured, provider-centered model. Patients rely on optometrists and ophthalmologists for diagnostics and scheduled follow-up visits to monitor conditions. Dr. Topol noted the potential of wearable and at-home technologies to enhance patient engagement by tracking health data in real time.

 

AI is now making this patient-centered approach more tangible in eye care. With tools such as deep learning algorithms, AI can analyze retinal images to detect conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma early on. Beyond early detection, AI also makes these insights available outside of the traditional clinical setting, enabling patients to access reliable diagnostic information on their smartphones or through home-based devices such as Notal Vision2 for both intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and wet AMD, giving them a greater understanding of their eye health without relying solely on in-person appointments. By enabling smartphone and home-based diagnostic tools, AI allows patients to access reliable insights into their eye health outside of traditional clinical settings, providing a new layer of accessibility and empowerment.

 

AI-Powered Platforms and Diagnostics

One of the greatest challenges in eye care is ensuring access for all. The U.S. population over age 65 is expected to grow by 30% by 2030, while the number of full-time optometrists is projected to increase by only 12%, according to Richard Edlow, OD, (Eyeconomist).3 This imbalance is even more pronounced globally. For example, in India, there are only 11 eye doctors per million people,4 compared to 74 per million in the U.S. AI is helping to bridge this gap by decentralizing eye care and making it accessible to more people.

 

Digital platforms such as Google’s Automated Retinal Disease Assessment and Verily’s Eye Health program use AI to quickly and accurately diagnose conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, from retinal scans. This allows patients in underserved regions to receive timely assessments, reducing barriers to care and potentially preventing vision loss. It is the same kind of machine learning image recognition that allows us to organize photos on our smartphones.  

 

Furthermore, AI is proving beneficial in administrative tasks that historically consumed providers’ time. Tasks such as intake workflows, scheduling, and prior authorizations can now be managed more efficiently with AI-driven tools, creating more capacity for direct patient care. In a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 60% of Americans expressed concerns about AI’s use in diagnosis, but in a January 2024 Salesforce survey, over half were comfortable with AI handling administrative functions such as appointment scheduling and cost estimates. AI-powered software such as Barti offer new VoIP communication experiences for the patient by automating phone interactions, managing scheduling, and allowing staff to focus on more patient-facing tasks.

 

AI in Remote Monitoring and Personalized Care

AI is also revolutionizing how chronic eye conditions are monitored. Conditions such as glaucoma, AMD, and diabetic retinopathy require frequent monitoring, which can be burdensome for patients. AI-powered tools can now analyze patterns in patient data to detect concerning changes, enabling early intervention without the need for as many in-office visits. Apps such as myVisionTrack for AMD and maculopathies empower patients to monitor their vision at home, with AI tracking their condition in real-time.

 

This real-time data collection enhances patient agency, allowing them to actively manage their health while reducing clinic visits. As Dr. Topol suggests in The Patient Will See You Now, this shift represents a democratization of health care — patients can now access advanced technology once limited to clinics, fostering a sense of ownership and adherence to their treatment plans.

 

The Road Ahead: Where is AI Driving Us?

As AI continues to evolve, Dr. Topol’s vision of a health care system where patients “see” their provider on their own terms is becoming a reality. In eye care, AI is not only making diagnostic and treatment processes more efficient but also empowering patients with tools for early detection, remote monitoring, and personalized treatment.

 

For eye care providers, this shift offers an opportunity to form more collaborative relationships with patients and improve care continuums by supporting them in a health care environment where they are informed, empowered, and active participants. With AI transforming the dynamics of eye care, the patient truly will see you now.

 

 

References:

1 Topol, E. (2015). The patient will see you now: The future of medicine is in your hands. Basic Books.

2 https://notalvision.com/assets/files/Teleophthalmology-Poster-ARVO-2023_Final.pdf

3 https://www.aoa.org/news/practice-management/perfect-your-practice/optometrys-medical-eye-care-opportunity-a-boon-for-patients-coordinated-care

4 Healed through AI:  The Age of AI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5aZjsWM2wo&t=965s

 

Author

  • Scott Allison, OD, MBA

    Dr. Scott Allison serves as the Vice President of Professional Services at MyEyeDr., overseeing clinical operations for over 1,500 optometrists across 29 states. With a focus on strategic leadership, patient-centered care, and health care reform, he drives initiatives and innovations that enhance patient and provider satisfaction. Before joining MyEyeDr., Dr. Allison served as Chief Operating Officer at Ossip Optometry, which became part of MyEyeDr. in 2018. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1996 and his MBA from Anderson University in 2014.



    View all posts


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *