Partnership announced at 100% Optical

New AI partnership aimed at transforming eye care

A NEW AI partnership that could transform eye care in the UK and globally has been announced by leading clinicians.

Specsavers has joined forces with medtech company Cascader to look at the best way to implement innovative AI technology as an assistant to support clinicians. Cascader is a medical AI company building on work at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL.

The announcement was made during a joint presentation by senior clinicians from both Specsavers and Cascader at this year’s 100% Optical show, which brings thousands of eye health clinicians together at London’s Excel, on Sunday 1 March.

Cascader CEO and ophthalmologist Peter Thomas says: ‘We’re excited to announce a partnership between Cascader and Specsavers.

‘It’s aimed at finding out what’s the best way for us to implement these cutting-edge AI capabilities into optometry so we get maximum benefit for our patients and for our clinicians who will be using the products.

‘We see huge potential for AI to support earlier detection, screening and proactive management driven by systemic health insights from optometry consultations, images and data. Working with Specsavers will help us to better understand how to deploy this kind of technology far and wide, in the UK and beyond.’

Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers, says: ‘By working together as a sector can we meet the eye health challenges we face such as the glaucoma tsunami with cases predicted to rise as the population ages.

‘We’re delighted to be part of this partnership, and it’s exciting that we can transform pathways of care for patients not just in the UK but across the whole of the globe. We are fully committed to working with Cascader to learn how to deploy AI technology, at scale.’

Paul Morris, director of professional advancement at Specsavers, explains that the partnership is designed to overcome potential barriers to ensure the technology is available to as many people as possible.

Mike Horler, Cascader’s optometric advisor, who also spoke during the presentation, emphasises that AI is a sophisticated decision-support system, not a replacement for clinical expertise, with the optometrist remaining the primary decision-maker.

‘By streamlining complex data analysis, it empowers optometrists to make better-informed decisions and provides the peace of mind that comes with a reinforced diagnosis,’ he says.

‘AI is evolving into a powerful clinical partner that augments a practitioner’s existing skills. It provides a safety net that enhances diagnostic confidence, reduces errors, and allowing optometrists to deliver better patient-centred care.’