Coming This March: Advanced AI Retinal Screenings for Heart Health, Aging, and Eye Disease

We are thrilled to announce the launch of advanced artificial intelligence retinal health assessments for heart health, aging, and eye disease at Sloane Street Surgery. This innovative technology uses a simple retinal photo to provide powerful health insights, helping you take control of your health like never before.

Please note, these AIs are intended for risk assessment and should not replace clinical judgment or diagnostic procedures.

What is AI-driven retinal screening?

AI-driven retinal screening uses advanced artificial intelligence to analyse detailed images of your retina. These images reveal the state of your blood vessels, which can provide critical clues about your overall health. This innovative approach can detect risks for cardiovascular disease, assess how fast your body is aging, and screen for eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

How can a retinal scan assess my cardiovascular health?

Your retina is the only place where blood vessels can be directly seen without surgery. By analysing these vessels, AI can detect early signs of cardiovascular disease, including diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Toku Eyes’ CLAiR uses advanced algorithms to assess your cardiovascular risk with high accuracy and speed.

• How it works: CLAiR analyses the shape, size, and health of your retinal blood vessels. These patterns reflect your cardiovascular health, as changes in the blood vessels can indicate underlying issues like high blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Why it matters: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, often without symptoms. CLAiR allows for a non-invasive risk assessment, helping you take preventive measures before complications arise.
• Proven accuracy: CLAiR’s AI model has been tested on diverse populations worldwide and shows high sensitivity and specificity in detecting cardiovascular risk. In a recent study in the UAE, CLAiR achieved 100% sensitivity (a test’s ability to correctly identify people with a disease) and 88% specificity (a test’s ability to correctly identify people without a disease), making it one of the most reliable non-invasive screening tools available. These results are based on clinical validation studies, and real-world performance may vary.

What is CLAiR screening?

CLAiR is an AI-powered cardiovascular risk assessment tool that uses retinal imaging to predict your 10-year risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

• How it works: CLAiR works by analyzing features of your retinal images plus your age, sex, smoking status, and diabetes status. It then categorizes you into two groups:
  • No elevated risk: No further action needed.
  • Elevated risk: Recommendation for further cardiovascular assessment.
• The technology behind it: CLAiR is powered by advanced AI algorithms trained on 4.3 million retinal images linked to medical records, ensuring accuracy across different ethnicities and health profiles.
• Who should get it: CLAiR is designed for adults between 40 and 75, especially those at risk of hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

How does BioAge determine my biological age?

BioAge measures how rapidly your body is aging by analysing the health of your retinal blood vessels. It provides a biological age estimate, which can be older or younger than your chronological age depending on your lifestyle, health conditions, and genetics. It matches the biological age measurement gold standard – Telomere Length.

• Why It matters: Knowing your biological age gives you a clearer picture of your overall health. If your biological age is older than your actual age, it may indicate accelerated aging, possibly due to lifestyle factors like stress, poor diet, or lack of exercise. Conversely, a younger biological age suggests you’re aging well.
• How It works: BioAge examines the health of your retina and its blood vessels, which reflect the impact of aging and lifestyle on your cardiovascular system. It uses data from over 4.3 million retinal images, comparing your results to people in your age group to give you an accurate health snapshot.
• Take control of aging: By understanding your BioAge, you can make lifestyle changes, such as better diet, increased physical activity, and stress management, to positively influence your biological age. Unlike chronological age, biological age is reversible!

What is diabetic retinopathy & macular degeneration screening?

This screening detects early signs of diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, two leading causes of vision loss.

• How it works: Using advanced AI, the screening analyses your retina for microvascular changes, which are early indicators of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
• Who should get it: This screening is highly recommended for diabetic patients, people over 50, or those with a family history of eye disease.
• Why it matters: Early detection allows for timely intervention, preventing severe vision impairment or blindness.

Who should not get these screenings?

These screenings are not suitable for everyone. You may not be eligible for some of these screenings if you:

• Have had a heart attack or stroke in the past.
• Have undergone stenting or surgery for a blocked artery in the heart, neck, or leg.
• Are currently taking a statin or other prescription medication to lower cholesterol levels.
• Have retinal disease that is being managed by a specialist, such as an Ophthalmologist.
• Are legally blind in one or both eyes.
• Are extremely nearsighted (a prescription of more than -6D).
• Are currently pregnant or there is a chance of pregnancy.

These exclusion criteria help ensure accurate and safe results. If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact Sloane Street Surgery for further guidance.

How accurate is this technology?

Toku Eyes’ CLAiR AI technology has achieved FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and holds CE and UKCA marks, ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficacy. The technology has been validated through extensive clinical trials and BioAge is currently being used in the United States.

• Proven Results:
  • CLAiR showed high sensitivity and high specificity in detecting cardiovascular risk.
  • BioAge has been statistically proven to correlate with other biological age tests, like telomere length, but offers faster and more affordable results.
  • Diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration screenings demonstrated high accuracy in detecting early signs, allowing for proactive disease management.

How can I book my screening?

Be among the first to access this groundbreaking AI screening at Sloane Street Surgery. Whether you want to assess your cardiovascular risks, discover your biological age, or safeguard your vision, these screenings offer a powerful tool to help you take control of your health.

To book an appointment please call reception on 0207 245 9333 and request an AI Retinal Screening with Dr Azhar Janmohamed. Appointments are available from 20th March.