By Staff Reports | Community Updates
Banner Health is improving care for diabetic patients with a new diagnostic tool that tests for diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness if not detected early, according to a press release.
Nearly 75% of diabetics will develop some degree of it within 20 years of diagnosis, the release states.
The device has been implemented at 24 Banner Health centers and clinics across Arizona. It streamlines the diagnostic process by eliminating the need for remote exam reviews and referral coordination. After a physician places an order, primary care patients can have retinal images captured during a quick exam. A diagnostic report is generated within minutes and reviewed with the patient by their provider.
“This device is helping to make the health care journey a much more seamless experience for our diabetic patients,” said Dr. Jason Leubner, a Banner Health family medicine physician, in the release. “We’re excited to be able to eliminate some of the extra steps and frustration that could come with the former diagnostic process and ultimately improve patient care by being able to diagnose people earlier.”
The technology, known as the LumineticsCore device, is the first FDA-cleared fully autonomous AI diagnostic system capable of detecting disease without physician interpretation, according to the release.
Because diabetic eye diseases often develop without symptoms, experts recommend that people with diabetes have their eyes tested annually.
