Norway is incorporating AI-powered eye screening in its national health system to address ophthalmologist shortages and reduce preventable blindness from diabetes. 

Partnering with Eyenuk, a US-based specialist in AI-powered eye screening, the EyeArt AI Eye Screening System will be deployed in the South-Eastern Norway regional health authority with the aim to scale its use across the country’s national health system in the coming years.  

This marks the first time a national health system anywhere has broadly adopted autonomous AI technology for detection of eye disease, said Eyenuk, adding it will support Norway’s goal to ensure that more than 95% of people with diabetes receive timely retinal examinations, compared with just 55% today.  

"With better use of healthcare professionals' time, we expect that the waiting time for retinal examinations will be significantly reduced. A better patient overview will also provide more efficient management and control and create the foundation for greater equality in treatment,” said Ulrich Spreng, medical director at the South-Eastern Norway regional health authority. 

According to a report from Menon Economics, achieving over 95% eye screening coverage for people with diabetes could reduce Norway’s annual disease burden by about NOK 250 million (NZ$43.95m).