The Future of Eye Care Series: Diagnosing Alzheimers From A Retinal Photo with Catherine Bornbaum, PhD, MBA

In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Bornbaum, PhD, MBA, Chief Business Officer at RetiSpec, an AI company that uses fundus photography to detect Alzheimer's disease risk and development. 

Key Takeaways:

1. RetiSpec's technology works with most standard fundus cameras and uses AI to assess and detect the retinal changes associated with amyloid deposition - the biggest risk factor and key diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's.
2. There are 55 million individuals globally living with dementia and there are at least 6.7 million individuals in the United States 65yo+ with dementia. It is believed these numbers vastly underestimate the number of individuals that have it. It is estimated that 1 out of 9 individuals age 65 and over have Alzheimer's disease.
3. Having the conversation with those that are high risk or have early disease can be a challenge. Leverage the data from the report, lead with empathy, and own your role as part of the team - refer the patient to PCP or neurology for further workup and share more tests will be done to determine.
4. There are two FDA approved medications for Alzheimer's disease and we know prevention is also key: diet, weight control, and exercise.
5. Technologies like these will only advance the role optometrists play in full body health and wellness. Practices wanting to be successful in the future must take advantage of them. 

What Catherine is reading:

• Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making by Tony Fadell 

Practice Advantage Reading List

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