Amrita Hospital Kochi is offering free retinal checkups to help identify potential risks for coronary artery disease and stroke. These checkups are available from Monday to Friday between 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Cardiology OP (A Block, 1st Tower, 5th Floor) and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Stroke OP (G Block, Ground Floor).

Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of mortality and morbidity, with India facing a significant healthcare burden. Early detection is crucial, but there is currently no efficient and specific screening methodology for the vast Indian population to identify those at risk for these conditions.

Amrita Hospital Kochi is now leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to develop an AI-based algorithm that uses retinal images to identify individuals at risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. This innovative approach is based on the idea of using the eye as a "window to the body", as the retina is the only place where trained ophthalmologists can visually assess blood vessels and the nerve. Retinal images provide crucial data about the cardiovascular system, such as the presence of hypertension and atherosclerosis, which are significant risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

By analysing retinal images with AI algorithms, healthcare professionals can efficiently identify those at risk, enabling early diagnosis and treatment that could save lives.