Microsoft LV Prasad

With data, advanced analytics and its machine learning technology, Microsoft intends to yet again derive useful insights. And this time it is in the eye care. In collaboration with L V Prasad Eye Institute, Microsoft has launched Microsoft Intelligent Network for Eyecare (MINE) to bring technology in the foreplay. A mission-driven global consortium of like-minded commercial, research and academic institutions, MINE intends to apply artificial intelligence to help eliminate avoidable blindness and scale delivery of eye care services worldwide. Bascom Palmer – University of Miami, Flaum Eye Institute – University of Rochester (USA), Federal University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Brien Holden Vision Institute (Australia) are the partner organizations of this consortium. They will collaborate and collectively work on diverse datasets of patients across geographies to come up with machine learning predictive models for vision impairment and eye disease. This will include the rate of change of myopia in children, conditions that impact children’s eyesight, predictive outcomes of refractive surgery, optimal surgery parameters as well as ways to personalize a surgery and maximize its probability of success. MINE will aim to drive strategies to prevent avoidable blindness and help increase efficiency in the delivery of eyecare worldwide. Microsoft will deploy its leading cloud platform technology – Cortana Intelligence Suite, for advanced analytics and to build Artificial Intelligence models on eyecare. Anil Bhansali, Managing Director, Microsoft India (R&D) Pvt. Ltd., said “MINE, a global collaboration, reinforces Microsoft’s belief in the combined power of data, cloud and advanced analytics to drive public good. In our shared vision to eradicate preventive blindness, MINE will help redefine eyecare by bringing together the power of technology and knowledge of global experts.” “At LVPEI, we have been using Microsoft Azure Machine Learning and Power BI to drive clinical interventions and improve patient outcomes. Today, we take great pride in taking forward our partnership with Microsoft and joining forces with global institutes to revolutionize the field of ophthalmology in India and across the world. We are confident that this partnership will not only open doors to opportunities in the field of eyecare, but also pave way for others to leverage technology to address several other critical eye diseases,” said Dr. G.N. Rao, Founder-Chair, L V Prasad Eye Institute. As next steps, MINE will bring together different partner organizations on Azure and collectively work on ideas of impact, the company’s press release stated.