Recipient organisationBlack Space Technology Limited
Funding£386K
PeriodMay 2025 — May 2026
In plain English
AI plain-English summary
A portable, 3D-printed digital slit lamp that connects to an Android smartphone will use artificial intelligence to spot early signs of eye disease in remote areas. Eye exams in low-resource settings are rare because the standard slit lamp—a bulky, expensive microscope—is hard to transport and requires a specialist to operate. This project builds a compact, low-cost version that turns any Android device into a diagnostic tool. The AI does two things: it checks that the captured images are clear enough for diagnosis, and it automatically flags abnormalities such as cataracts or glaucoma. The images are then compressed, encrypted, and sent to a cloud server for remote review by a clinician. If successful, the device could let community health workers in rural clinics or disaster zones perform eye screenings without an ophthalmologist present. This would reduce unnecessary travel for patients and speed up referrals for those who need surgery. The same telemedicine platform could also support remote monitoring of chronic eye conditions, keeping people connected to care even when internet bandwidth is limited. The project does not test the device in patients yet—it focuses on building and validating the hardware and AI software.
View original technical description
This project aims to improve eye care in remote and resource-limited areas by developing a portable, AI-powered digital slit lamp that integrates seamlessly with a telemedicine platform. A slit lamp is a device used by eye doctors to examine the front and back parts of the eye for early signs of disease. The innovation is divided into three key stages: 1. **Creating a Digital Slit Lamp**: A compact, 3D-printed digital slit lamp will be designed to connect to Android devices. This approach makes it adaptable to various smartphones, ensuring it is affordable and scalable for use in areas with limited resources. The device will be easy to produce and compatible with current and future Android technology, reducing costs and enhancing accessibility. 2. **Smart Image Analysis**: Advanced artificial intelligence will be used to ensure the images captured are of high quality and usable for diagnosis. The software will identify and flag abnormalities in the images, enabling early detection of eye diseases like cataracts or glaucoma. Automating these processes not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also integrates seamlessly with telemedicine platforms for remote patient management. 3. **Telemedicine Integration**: The data collected by the slit lamp will be securely transmitted to a cloud server, where AI algorithms analyse the images in real time. Compression and encryption ensure data can be transmitted efficiently, even in areas with limited internet bandwidth. This allows healthcare providers to diagnose and monitor patients remotely, providing timely care while minimizing travel or hospital visits. The ultimate goal is to empower clinicians and support healthcare workers in remote environments by providing them with cutting-edge diagnostic tools. By combining affordability, portability, and advanced technology, this project seeks to bridge healthcare gaps and improve outcomes for people in underserved regions.
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