Ophthalmology

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help ophthalmologists recognise glaucoma, the main cause of blindness. Belgian researchers have developed a new AI model and trained it with eye images of patients at UZ Leuven. The algorithm was able to detect glaucoma in 13 external datasets.

The first gene therapy for hereditary retinal disease, voretigene neparvovec or Luxturna, has recently been approved for use. UZ Leuven doctors have treated a first patient with this new type of gene therapy. If diagnosed in time, Luxturna can prevent further progression of the disorder.

Researchers at UZ Leuven, KU Leuven, VITO and imec have published promising results on the use of a hyperspectral camera to detect protein plaques in the eyes of Alzheimer's patients.