Sept. 20, 2024 — In a thought-provoking session titled "How Can AI Complement Your Practice vs. Being a Threat," industry professionals gathered to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the eyecare field at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas. Moderated by Alan Glazier, O.D., the panel featured Easy Anyama, O.D.; Ukti Vora, M. Optom, MBA, FAAO; and Garrett Pennell, O.D., who shared insights on the current and future applications of AI.
Dr. Glazier opened the discussion by reflecting on the rapid advancement of AI technologies and the dual sentiments of excitement and apprehension surrounding their integration into health care. “My biggest fear is not that it’s going to destroy society—it’s just happening so fast. How are we going to be able to keep up with the implementation of this [for our] benefit?” Dr. Glazier says. “Our success with AI has a lot to do with how fast we’re able to apply it and implement it if we choose to. And if we don’t, then we get left behind. If we can’t keep up with the changes—that’s what you need to fear. In the eyecare industry, we’re a prime target for this.”
The panelists highlighted AI's significant impact on imaging technologies in eye care. Dr. Pennell emphasized the importance of early detection in diagnosing eye diseases like glaucoma. "A lot of these diseases, we can get them even earlier with AI because it can detect small changes that [can’t] be detected with the [technology] available now," he says. “With AI, each image that it gets, it learns a little more and improves a little more, so that enables it to pick up on nuances that we don’t really know about.”
The conversation also touched on how AI can assist optometrists in their practices. By automating data collection, AI tools could enable practitioners to focus more on patient care while potentially increasing their patient load. “A lot of [AI] will help us with some of that professional intake stuff, those sort of things that aren’t really using our knowledge,” says Dr. Anyama. “The [AI] models don’t get the nuance that a doctor will have. So you can spend more time with the analysis side vs. the collection side, then you’ll have more human-to-human interaction. With these tools, you’ll be able to see more patients while still maintaining that quality of care.”
“I think one of the biggest benefits of incorporating AI…especially if you’re early on into the practice and trying to understand how to refer…when you are on the fence, you are looking for a more experienced O.D. or a second opinion, AI can be your partner, and it can be immediate,” says Dr. Vora. “It will also help beyond eye care. You can use [AI] to connect with other health care professionals and refer the patients in a way that makes more sense. [AI] can help make health care more synchronized.”
As the discussion progressed, the panel addressed concerns regarding the future role of AI in health care. While some participants feared job displacement, the consensus was clear: AI is not set to replace optometrists but rather to enhance their capabilities. However, barriers to widespread adoption remain, including the need for standardized grading systems and improved communication between AI systems from different manufacturers.
As the session concluded, attendees were encouraged to stay informed about AI advancements through industry conferences, vendor discussions, and educational resources.