An artificial intelligence (AI) Macular Disease treatment decision tool for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema, and retinal vein occlusion.

Background Macular Disease (MD) is the leadingcause of preventable sight loss in the developed world. Successfully tracking the condition is critical to avoiding blindness.

But doing so currently demands huge financial and human resources, which is leaving hospital eye departments routinely overstretched and leading to a rise in cases of sight loss.

With the growth in diabetes and life expectancy, demand is expected to soar globally at over 7% per annum exacerbating the problem.

Aims and objectives Macusoft intelligently triages patients using artificial intelligence (AI) clinical decision support, allowing clinician s to interpret rich diagnostic information easily and reduce unwanted variation from human judgment, thereby creating capacity to see and treat more patients and improve outcomes.

The aim of this project is to develop Macusoft to be able to test it in a clinical environment to ensure it works and is safe, and understand the next steps in R&D leading to eventual commercialisation.

Project plan and methods The project plans to develop and test Macusoft in a simulation study using anonymised retrospective data from chronic MD patients, and comparing the software triage decision to that of a Consultant Ophthalmologist. Timelines for delivery This development will take 12 months from September 2020 when the project begins.

Anticipated impact (of funding) and dissemination The evidence generated supporting clinical and technical feasibility will be shared with key stakeholders to secure buy-in - NHS, regulatory bodies, clinical peers, patients and the public. Commercial evaluation will define the steps to bring it to market, resulting in a clear plan for further R&D.

The project results will be presented at EASDec 2021 and the abstract published in the European Journal of Ophthalmology.

This will be complemented by eye charity the Macular Society to spread to a wider audience of stakeholders, patients and the public.