Creating a retinal image database to develop an automated screening tool for diabetic retinopathy in India.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes, is the fifth leading cause of blindness worldwide. Given the critical nature of the disease, it is paramount that individuals with diabetes undergo annual screening for early and timely detection of DR, facilitating prompt ophthalmic assessment and intervention. However, screening for DR, which involves assessing visual acuity and retinal examination through ophthalmoscopy or retinal photography, presents a significant global challenge due to the massive volume of individuals requiring annual reviews.