Groundbreaking AI eye health partnership with Specsavers and Cascader
Specsavers and medical technology company Cascader have announced a new partnership that aims to harness innovative artificial intelligence technology to support clinicians and improve patient outcomes.
Cascader, a medical AI firm building on work at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL, is collaborating with Specsavers to find the most effective ways to implement cutting-edge AI into optometry.
Mike Horler, Cascader’s optometric advisor, echoes the importance of AI as a supportive tool. ‘AI is a sophisticated decision-support system, not a replacement for clinical expertise, with the optometrist remaining the primary decision-maker,’ he says.
‘By streamlining complex data analysis, it empowers optometrists to make better-informed decisions and provides the peace of mind that comes with a reinforced diagnosis.’
He adds, ‘AI is evolving into a powerful clinical partner that augments a practitioner’s existing skills. It provides a safety net that enhances diagnostic confidence, reduces errors, and allows optometrists to deliver better patient-centred care.’
Peter Thomas, CEO of Cascader and ophthalmologist, shares his enthusiasm: ‘We’re excited to announce a partnership between Cascader and Specsavers. It’s aimed at finding out what’s the best way for us to implement these cutting-edge AI capabilities into optometry so we get maximum benefit for our patients and for our clinicians who will be using the products.’
He continues: ‘We see huge potential for AI to support earlier detection, screening and proactive management driven by systemic health insights from optometry consultations, images and data. Working with Specsavers helps us to better understand how to deploy this kind of technology far and wide, in the UK and beyond.’
Paul Morris, director of professional advancement at Specsavers, explains that the partnership focuses on breaking down potential barriers, ensuring this technology reaches as many people as possible.
Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers, says: ‘By working together as a sector can we meet the eye health challenges we face such as the glaucoma tsunami with cases predicted to rise as the population ages.
‘We’re delighted to be part of this partnership, and it’s exciting that we can transform pathways of care for patients not just in the UK but across the whole of the globe. We are fully committed to working with Cascader to learn how to deploy AI technology, at scale.’