Orbis artificial intelligence brings eye care solutions to Rwanda

Cybersight AI is the latest Orbis tool being used by health teams around the world to diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is a potentially blinding disease that can affect anyone with diabetes. It is especially common in Sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the fastest growing prevalence of diabetes.

In partnership with the Rwanda Diabetes Association, we’ve equipped four clinics across Rwanda with AI screening cameras. With these cameras, powered by Cybersight AI, clinicians can now diagnose patients in minutes, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Orbis studies show that when patients get real-time diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy through AI screening in a primary care setting such as a rural diabetes clinic—rather than waiting weeks or months for a specialist to review—they are more likely to seek treatment and have higher satisfaction scores.

Doctors like Dr. Raban Susabimana of the Rwanda Diabetes Association says the camera is easy to use with training. “Anyone can do it. It doesn't take a long time at all to learn.”

In a recent study conducted in partnership with the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology, AI screenings for diabetic retinopathy led to patient satisfaction of 99%.

Even more, over 63% of the study participants preferred AI over human graders, likely due to its convenience and speed. With AI screening, patients receive their results immediately. This means they don’t need to schedule separate appointments and can save on travel, an expensive barrier for many rural patients.

Etienne Uwingabire is a senior nurse and Executive Director of the Rwanda Diabetes Foundation. As the leader of his diabetes clinic, Etienne played a critical role in rolling out the Cybersight AI program in Rwanda. He was eager to take part because his diabetes clinic has many patients, each of whom need a thorough screening by an ophthalmologist.

With an average of only 3.7 ophthalmologists per million people in sub-Saharan Africa, it’s simply not possible to give patients the care they deserve. However, thanks to AI, clinicians can get an immediate diagnosis with a high degree of accuracy and refer patients for treatment right away.

When the AI camera first arrived, Etienne says, “It was like a miracle. The camera gives an immediate response and the patient is very happy to know the status of their eyes.”

Etienne tells us that learning how to use the special equipment and Cybersight AI platform was easy, and that he’s now able to supervise and train other members of the clinic. Etienne and the others use the device daily because more practice never hurts. He says, “I have seen that when you use the machine every day, you are perfect."

Access to DR screening is critical in preventing visual impairment in diabetes patients. Many patients don’t know they have the disease until it’s already too late, and in Rwanda, this issue can be amplified by lack of trained personnel and equipment.

And thanks to our incredible supporters, health workers in Rwanda like Etienne now have access to powerful Cybersight AI. With faster and more accurate screenings, more patients can receive the level of care they deserve.