RELATED CONTENT

For patients who are located far from an eye- care practitioner, AI technologies can provide access to remote diagnostics that can help spot early signs of treatable eye diseases.



Roya Attar, OD



Roya Attar, OD, M.B.A., D.H.A, associate professor and director of optometric services at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), has focused her research on serving those in the surrounding community.

“In the upcoming months, we plan to expand our AI initiatives by developing more predictive models tailored to patient care and enhancing educational tools for our students,” said Dr. Attar. “There’s also ongoing research into AI applications for early detection of eye diseases, and AI-powered telemedicine platforms to improve access to care.”

As an optometrist in an academic medical center, Dr. Attar is primarily focused on testing AI’s capabilities in a research setting as well as educating students about its potential, but other departments within UMMC are already using AI in some aspects of patient care.

“We use generative AI in our electronic health record system, Epic, to streamline routine tasks such as replying to patient messages,” she said. “Additionally, AI-driven ambient listening systems help reduce post-visit follow-up work for clinicians.”





UMMC also uses predictive modeling tools in the ER to forecast patient admissions, as well as AI-driven monitoring systems to predict patient falls and pressure injuries. Dr. Attar said that AI has led to clinicians becoming more efficient and streamlined when it comes to administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on patient care. And early data shows patient safety and resource allocation improvements.

“AI has the potential to significantly improve efficiency by automating routine tasks and providing valuable insights,” Dr. Attar said. “However, it is important to note that AI is a tool that should be used in conjunction with human expertise.”

Although UMMC faculty and students have been excited about the possibility of using AI tools, it is also tempered with a healthy mix of skepticism from those who worry about the potential for harm.

“While AI offers numerous advantages, there are concerns regarding data privacy, the reliability of AI-generated insights and the potential for overreliance on technology. We are addressing these issues through the development of a robust AI-use policy that emphasizes ethical standards,” she said.

As a part of their effort to offer cutting-edge care, UMMC aims to integrate AI-related advancements to assist in patient communications.

“Specifically, for my low vision patients, I do take extra time to discuss utilization of AI-powered assistive devices, such as tools like smart glasses and screen readers that use AI to identify objects, read text aloud and with navigation, as well as phone apps that use AI technology for visual assistance,” Dr. Attar said.

- Stefani Kim, Senior Editor, Lenses & Technology