Oman’s artificial intelligence-powered diabetic retinopathy screening programme has cut specialist eye clinic waiting lists by 87%, according to the Ministry of Health.
More than 43,000 patients have been screened since the National Project for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Using Artificial Intelligence Technologies began. The system flagged around 30% of patients for specialist review, identifying more than 12,000 people who may require further clinical assessment.
Anas bin Nasser Al Kimyani, director of the National Virtual Health Centre at the Ministry of Health, said waiting times for examination and treatment appointments fell from 62 days to eight during the programme’s first seven months.
AI-supported screening has also reduced the process from around 90 minutes, when pupil-dilating drops were used, to approximately 15 minutes. The ministry said the system recorded 91.3% diagnostic accuracy and 85% sensitivity, positioning it as a triage tool rather than a replacement for specialist diagnosis.
The first phase operates across 25 health institutions in Oman. The ministry said annual operating costs have fallen by 43.2% compared with previous procedures, and plans are underway to expand screening to remote areas and introduce AI-assisted screening for glaucoma and keratoconus.
Source: MEA Tech Watch
