AOP launches new AI resource hub to support eye care practitioners in navigating emerging technologies

AOP launches new AI resource hub to support eye care practitioners in navigating emerging technologies

Dedicated online hub to improve professional confidence in AI-supported care

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has launched a new AI and Technology resource hub, designed to support practitioners as artificial intelligence continues to transform clinical practice, patient pathways and the wider healthcare landscape.

Artificial intelligence driven tools are increasingly influencing how eye care professionals assess, diagnose, and manage patients. From imaging and clinical decision making to  risk prediction models and data driven analysis, technology is shaping the delivery of eye care.

The new hub brings together policy guidance, regulatory insight and practical information to support optometrists and dispensing opticians as they adapt to these developments. The suite of resources aims to help practitioners understand where AI can add value, the safeguards required for use, and the implications for professional standards and patient care.

Julie-Anne Little, AOP Board and AI Task Group Member, said: “AI is becoming a part of everyday life, and its role in eye care is growing. AI already supports business efficiency in eye care, and it’s increasingly used to solve problems and assist clinical decision making by identifying patterns in data. Clinicians remain responsible for decisions, and AI is never a replacement for professional judgement, so practitioners must understand a tool’s limitations. The resource is designed to help assess AI tools, understand what to look out for, and check what technologies are approved for medical use.”

Paul Alexander, AOP Policy and Governance Manager, said: “We are proud to provide eye care practitioners with clear, accessible guidance to navigate the use of AI in eye care with confidence. Our new hub offers the profession the tools and insight needed to engage with emerging technologies safely, ethically and in the best interests of patients.”

The hub offers information on the responsible use of AI in clinical settings, including maintaining transparency in technology supported decisions, protecting patient data and ensuring accountability as digital tools become more embedded in practice.

The resource also provides updates on the UK’s approach to AI governance and sets out the AOP’s position on ensuring protections for both practitioners and patients.

Fiona Buckmaster, AOP AI Task Group Member, speaking on the key regulatory considerations, said: “AI tools used in healthcare must meet strict medical device regulations, with risk-based classifications ensuring they are safe, reliable and properly tested before reaching patients. As tools become more sophisticated, they’ll help streamline workflows, detect disease earlier, and improve patient outcomes. The key is staying informed, staying cautious, and staying in control of the clinical decisions we make.”

The AI and Technology resource hub can be accessed by visiting, www.aop.org.uk/AIHub