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30 Seconds to Save Your Sight: Ukraine Pilots AI-Powered Eye Screening
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What if a simple photo could stop blindness before it starts?
In a groundbreaking pilot project, Ukraine is using AI-powered retinal screening to detect diabetic retinopathy — a silent complication of diabetes and one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss worldwide.
From October 2024 to March 2025, more than 870 diabetes patients in the Odesa and Chernihiv regions were screened using the CheckEye platform.
The process is fast and accessible:
- No pupil dilation needed
- Images captured by nurses
- AI analysis completed in under 30 seconds
The project, supported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, showed that 25% of patients were referred for further ophthalmologic care, while 75% required no specialist follow-up.
Crucially, the pilot confirmed that early-stage cases can be managed without specialized intervention — through adjustments in diabetes treatment and lifestyle. Only advanced cases need ophthalmologist care. This dramatically reduces the burden on the healthcare system and increases patients’ chances of preserving their vision.
By integrating AI into frontline care, Ukraine is demonstrating how digital tools can improve access, reduce costs, and deliver faster, more targeted care — especially in rural and underserved areas.
This pilot is a compelling model for how other countries can modernize chronic disease screening and prevent avoidable blindness.
Source: Ministry of Health of Ukraine
