DeepRet: A Portable and Multimodal AI System for Enhancing Glaucoma Diagnosis in Resource-Limited Settings

Glaucoma, projected to impact over 110 million individuals by 2040, remains a significant challenge in low-resource settings due to limited access to diagnostic tools and physicians, delaying early detection. Automated glaucoma diagnosis systems have emerged as potentially scalable solutions but often rely on single-modality imaging and lack integration with real-world patient interactions. To bridge these gaps, DeepRet, an AI-based system, leverages multimodal data—retinal imaging, age, and intraocular pressure measurements—to achieve 96.34% accuracy, a 93% AUROC, and a 17.30% improvement over traditional methods. Designed for low-resource environments, DeepRet features an affordable, portable retinal imager with a manufacturing cost under $200, 3D printed materials, and low-cost electronics. Its intuitive design minimizes training requirements for health workers while offering real-time, patient-friendly feedback, enhancing accessibility and the patient experience.