Eyes On Tomorrow

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in eye care — it’s already influencing how we image, diagnose and think about disease.

In this episode of Eyes on Tomorrow, we were joined by Pearse Keane, Professor of Artificial Medical Intelligence at UCL and Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

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We discuss:

• How #AI is being validated and used in real-world retinal practice

• What advanced OCT analysis means for clinical decision-making

• The emergence of Oculomics and why eye data may tell us far more than we think

• How clinicians should engage with AI — critically, safely and pragmatically

This is a practical, grounded conversation for optometrists, ophthalmologists and eye-care leaders navigating where innovation meets everyday clinical care.

▶️ Watch the full episode now

#EyesOnTomorrow #Ophthalmology #Optometry #MedicalAI #OCT #RetinalImaging #DigitalOphthalmology #FutureOfEyeCare #ClinicalInnovation

In 1964, Captain James T. Kirk set the tone for a generation when he declared: “Space—the final frontier….to explore strange new worlds…. to boldly go where no man has gone before.” Today, that spirit of exploration has found a new frontier — not in space, but in the human eye.

In this episode of Eyes on Tomorrow, we’re joined by Professor Pearse Keane, Professor of Artificial Medical Intelligence at UCL. Like a modern-day Captain Kirk, Pearse is leading ophthalmology on a voyage of discovery, using AI to take us to truly “strange new worlds” — and revealing what the retina can tell us about our risk of systemic disease.

Pearse explains why ophthalmology is uniquely placed to ride the AI wave, and how a speculative LinkedIn message sparked a collaboration with Mustafa Suleyman that led to the groundbreaking partnership between Moorfields Eye Hospital and Google DeepMind.

We explore the rise of oculomics, from predicting age and sex using a single colour fundus photograph, to using large language models and retinal imaging to stratify risk for cardiovascular and neurological disease. We also tackle the ethical challenges this technology raises, including data protection, and look ahead to how AI will bring optometrists, primary care doctors, and hospital specialists closer together than ever before.

It may sound like science fiction, but this is science fact. This conversation offers a glimpse into a “brave new world” that’s closer than we think.

Bonus subscriber content

In this month’s bonus episode Pearse discusses RETFound, the first foundation model in medicine, capable of predicting myocardial infarction, heart failure, and ischaemic stroke from unlabelled retinal images. Pearse tells us how, by making this AI open-source, it is democratising access to this transformative technology.

Get access to this Bonus episode, along with a host of CPD resources, when you subscribe for only £25 per year at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe.

Eyes on Tomorrow is supported by Topcon Healthcare and Thea UK.

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio.

This festive episode, we’re joined by friend of the podcast Sarah Farrant for a fast-paced, clinically focused deep dive into DEWS III and what it really means for the way you manage Dry Eye Disease.

From the game-changing new definition of DED — where symptoms truly matter — to why blue light therapy is now a core part of care, Sarah cuts through the noise and delivers insights you can take straight into practice. We also unpack the emerging evidence around Demodex as a bacterial “vehicle”, the growing importance of systemic inflammation, and why meibomian gland imaging can reveal disease a decade before patients ever complain of symptoms.

Eyes on tomorrow is supported by Topcon Healthcare and Thea UK.

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio.

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Bonus episode for subscribers: This month Sarah shares her real-world decision-making when designing personalised lubricant and lid hygiene regimes, the expanding role of Blephaderm in periocular erythema, practical tips for building a successful dry eye clinic, and why full-face low-level light therapy is delivering results that rival blepharoplasty surgery.

Pull up a mince pie, press play, and get ready to rethink dry eye.

This, along with a host of CPD resources, all for just £25 per year when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe.

This is ophthalmic history told by the man who lived it. Settle in.

In this special episode of Eyes on Tomorrow, we’re celebrating a true giant of Irish ophthalmology. For the first time we recorded in front of a live audience, joined by none other than Mr Patrick “Paddy” Condon, widely regarded as the Founding Father of modern ophthalmology in Ireland. Paddy’s impact runs deep: he helped pioneer cataract and refractive surgery, played a central role in the creation of UKISCRS and ESCRS, and spent decades improving paediatric eye care across the country. He even recruited four Irish Presidents to support his mission to reduce workplace and sporting eye injuries. And he’ll also explain how he once ended up playing football with Colonel Gaddafi’s children in their garden in Libya.

Eyes on tomorrow is supported by Topcon Healthcare and Thea UK.

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio.

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For subscribers, this month’s bonus episode is a treasure trove for anyone curious about the evolution of cataract surgery. Paddy shares the surprising origins of the Ridley and Duke-Elder feud, long before the first intraocular lens was implanted. He takes us through the early days of modern microsurgery, his friendships with Charlie Kelman, Eric Arnott, and other pioneers, and gives candid insight into why institutions like Moorfields resisted IOL implantation and phacoemulsification.

This, along with a host of CPD resources, all for just £25 per year when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe

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When it comes to vision, inequality is still in sharp focus. So this World Sight Day, we’re putting a gender lens on the fight against avoidable blindness.

By 2050, 112 million more women and girls will lose their sight unnecessarily. Today, two-thirds of blind children are girls, and 55% of people with visual impairment are women. Yet, while 70% of global healthcare workers are women, three-quarters of leadership roles are held by men.

So, how do we change the picture?

In this episode, Rose Namukwai and Kate Gannon from Orbis share how they’re breaking barriers — training trusted local women screeners, educating traditional healers, building male allyship, and launching Women-Led Green Vision Centres that have boosted attendance of women and girls by 20%. They’re also empowering women tea-pickers with near glasses that increase their productivity and wages by 50%.

We’re also joined by Filomena Ribeiro, President of the ESCRS, who’s making gender equality a cornerstone of her presidency - supporting Eyes of the World projects in Africa and Bolivia, and ensuring women’s voices and expertise are represented on every panel and committee.

Because when women see better - the world sees better.

Eyes on tomorrow is supported by Topcon Healthcare and Thea UK.

And don’t miss our bonus subscriber episode, featuring moving stories from patients whose lives have been transformed by women-led eyecare. This, along with a host of CPD resources, all for just £25 per year when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe.

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio.

A deep dive into the evolution of one of Ireland’s leading refractive surgery clinics – the Wellington Eye Clinic in Dublin. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about refractive surgery and the future of eye care.

Joining us is Arthur Cummings, one of the world’s most respected refractive surgeons. Arthur takes us on a journey from his move from South Africa to Ireland in 1994, through the nerve-wracking return to phaco surgery after eight years away, to his meticulous data collection that has helped refine outcomes and push the field forward. He also shares insights into the ever-changing technologies that have shaped his practice.

We’re also joined by his son – and now partner – Brendan Cummings, along with Cian Gildea, the clinic’s senior optometrist. Together, they reveal what makes the Wellington team tick: a patient-first philosophy, comprehensive optometrist-led pre-op assessments, meticulous dry eye management, and the power of word-of-mouth growth over flashy social media.

Eyes on Tomorrow is supported by Topcon Healthcare and Théa UK.

Subscribers to the podcast will have access to monthly bonus episodes. This month Arthur explains his innovative, video-based approach to patient consent, and Cian shares how working in this environment has expanded his role and made him an integral part of the decision-making process.

This, along with a host of CPD resources, all for just £25 per year when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe.

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio.

Our finest moments from the past twelve months continue, as Lyndon Jones shares his thoughts on why optometrists should incorporate dry eye management, myopia control and specialistic contact lens services to future proof their practices.

Robyn Gymer explains why “selling” the benefits of intravitreal complement inhibitor treatment to patients with Dry AMD is not an easy task, the important role of OCT in helping clinicians recognise nascent geographic atrophy and the dietary advice she gives her Dry AMD patients.

If you are unsure when to refer patients with possibly swollen optic discs, Lorcan Butler’s tips on taking a targeted history, "examining the nerve” and how to interpret disc OCTs will help refine your referrals.

Memories of seeing young diabetic patients in the 1980s and 90s, who were NPL in both eyes due to undetected and untreated diabetic retinopathy, have driven Peter Scanlon to develop digital diabetic retinopathy screening programs. Peter talks about the bumpy journey and obstacles he faced to bring his vision to fruition.

Finally, Hunter Cherwek from Orbis describes the devastating impact on the life chances of children and economic productivity of adults with uncorrected refractive errors and how Orbis is tackling this problem, which currently affects 850 million people worldwide.

Another perfect podcast for poolside listening!

Eyes on Tomorrow is supported by Topcon Healthcare and Théa UK.

Subscribers to the podcast will have access to monthly bonus episodes, this month featuring “light bulb moments” experienced by Robyn Gymer, Keith Barton, Andrew Dick and Lyndon Jones, which ultimately changed their career paths.

This, along with a host of CPD resources, all for just £35 per year when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe.

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio.

With the summer holidays upon us what better way to relax and unwind by the pool with a highlights episodes of EOT, featuring some of our favourite conversations from the last twelve months.

In this episode:

* Keith Barton reminds us that despite the plethora of MIGS devices, when it comes to serious glaucoma trabeculectomy is still the go to operation.

* Paul Foster talks about his adventures in Mongolia and how the ZAP Study reshaped referral guidelines for angle closure glaucoma.

* Kieren Darcy shares his insights on the workup of patients for premium IOL surgery and the crucial role of their optometrist in detecting and treating dry eye disease prior to referral.

* The Queen of Dry Eye disease Sarah Farrant talks about her approach to setting up a dry eye practice and where IPL and LLL therapies fit into this equation.

Subscribers to the podcast will have access to monthly bonus episodes, this month featuring Lyndon Jones, Paul Foster, Peter Scanlon and Andrew Dick talking about leadership and the importance of building a successful team.

This, along with a host of CPD resources, all for just £25 per year when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe.

Produced by Matt Hill atRethink Audio.

It is hard to believe that many children currently spend less time outdoors than prisoners! In this episode we talk about lifestyle changes that need to be combined with optical and medical interventions to tackle the rising tide of myopia, including practical tips to help get optometrists off “the naughty step” and begin to have a conversation with parents about myopia control.

Ian Flitcroft, who has been at the forefront of myopia research for over 30 years, explores the multi-factorial aetiology of the myopia epidemic, why choroidal thickness is such an important biomarker of myopia progression and why myopia control is as important to ocular health as treating hypertension is to cardiovascular disease.

In the Bonus Video for subscribers, Ian and Dermot talk about how Ocumetra is using AI to help Optometrists and Ophthalmologists develop their myopia practices and to encourage patient and parental engagement in their myopia treatment journey. Ian also shares his tips for what to do if you are ever caught without your cufflinks at a black tie event! Subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe

Ian is a true polymath: he is an award winning novelist and science blogger, a gastronome and a Jane Austen aficionado, not to mention being a self-confessed “petrol-head”. So tune in for what is perhaps our most eclectic podcast yet.

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio.

Thirty years ago children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) were at high risk of not only crippling physical disability, but also visual loss secondary to cataract, glaucoma and macular oedema caused by their chronic uveitis, or the steroids we used to treat it. Now, thanks to the development of targeted biological therapies, by clinical scientists like Andrew Dick, these children are living normal active lives and their risk of sight loss has been dramatically reduced.

In this episode of Eyes on Tomorrow we talk to Andrew about his career-long interest in immunology and inflammatory eye disease and the impact of translational research which has led to a better understanding of cytokine inflammatory pathways in uveitis, the subsequent development of TNF inhibitors and finally landmark trials, like the Sycamore Trial.

Andrew stresses the critical importance of working closely with paediatric rheumatologists and of involving patients, no matter how young, in the management of their disease.

He has pioneered a “zero-tolerance” approach for the long-term use of topical and systemic steroids, in patients with uveitis, facilitated by the use of biological agents and this has dramatically improved the visual prognosis for patients with uveitis.

We also touch upon his clinical approach to new cases of uveitis, his tips for optometrists when confronted by a patient with uveitis and what his passions are away from work.

Subscribers to the podcast will have access to the Bonus video episode in which Andrew discusses promising new uveitis treatments, the challenges of managing patients with Gene Therapy Associated Uveitis, his advice to potential budding clinical scientists and his thoughts on leadership.

All in all a fantastic listen for anyone who wants to learn more about inflammatory eye disease.

Subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe

Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio

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