Team siliconindia

• AIIMS launches a mobile AI app that detects diabetic retinopathy within seconds
• Tool validated on thousands of retinal images with 95% accuracy
• Designed for primary health centers to support early diagnosis and prevent vision loss

AIIMS has introduced MadhuNETrAI, India’s first fully validated AI-powered mobile app for detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Developed in partnership with the Union health ministry’s e-health division and Wadhwani AI, the app aims to make early eye screening accessible across primary and district-level health facilities.

MadhuNETrAI evaluates retinal images captured through a fundus camera and identifies early signs of DR in just a few seconds. Users can upload images, and the app instantly classifies them as normal, mild, or moderate-to-severe, helping health workers quickly identify patients who need specialist care.

According to retina specialist Dr. Rohan Chawla, the tool stands out for its rigorous validation. He explained that most AI models are tested on only a small dataset, but MadhuNETrAI was evaluated on 3,000-4,000 images out of nearly 13,000 collected, resulting in more than 95% detection accuracy. This level of validation makes the app reliable even in real-world clinical environments.

The app is built to work in low-resource settings and is being optimized for compatibility with various devices, including affordable fundus cameras and smartphone-based systems. It will also support offline functionality. As a medical device, the software is currently undergoing review by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), with approval expected within six months.

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While the app will be free to deploy, the required fundus camera costs around Rs 3 lakh. Efforts are underway to equip primary health centers with these devices, especially in rural regions where screening rates are low. Currently, only 10% of diabetics in India undergo regular DR screening.

Dr. Chawla emphasized that early detection can prevent most diabetes-related blindness, and tools like MadhuNETrAI can help bring timely care to communities across India.