Kerala Unveils Nayanamritham 2.0: AI-Driven Eye Screening

The Kerala government has introduced Nayanamritham 2.0, an AI-driven eye screening initiative aimed at early detection of chronic eye diseases. This program, in partnership with health-tech company Remidio, marks the world’s first government-led AI-assisted screening program for conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By expanding access to quality eye care, Kerala continues to integrate artificial intelligence into its public health system, ensuring that advanced eye screening reaches more people across the state.

How Has Nayanamritham 2.0 Improved Eye Screening in Kerala?

The first version of Nayanamritham, launched earlier, focused primarily on diabetic retinopathy screenings conducted at Family Health Centers (FHCs). Patients identified with potential issues were referred to secondary and tertiary care centers, where ophthalmologists provided further assessment. This initiative laid the foundation for integrating AI-driven eye screening into Kerala’s public healthcare system.

With Nayanamritham 2.0, the scope of screening has expanded. The AI-powered fundus cameras by Remidio can now detect glaucoma and AMD, in addition to diabetic retinopathy. These cameras instantly classify cases as referable or non-referable, ensuring faster diagnosis and early intervention. The screening program has also been expanded beyond FHCs to Community Health Centers, Taluk Hospitals, and District Hospitals, making eye care services more accessible to a larger population.

Why Is Kerala’s AI-Integrated Eye Screening a Global Milestone?

With this initiative, Kerala has become the first government-led public health system globally to integrate AI for eye disease screening. By embedding Remidio’s AI technology into the existing workflow, the government aims to enhance efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in eye screenings. The goal is to reduce preventable blindness by identifying high-risk cases early and ensuring timely referrals to specialists.

According to Anand Sivaraman, CEO of Remidio, this collaboration is a major step in using technology for public health. He emphasized that Kerala’s health system is setting a benchmark for how AI can be leveraged for mass screenings.

What Do Experts Say About AI in Public Eye Care?

Dr. Bipin Gopal, Deputy Director of the Kerala Health Services Department, highlighted that AI is not replacing healthcare providers but empowering them. Optometrists can now detect routine cases using AI-powered cameras, while ophthalmologists focus on complex cases, improving the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.

This initiative reflects Kerala’s commitment to using technology for better public health outcomes. By scaling up AI-based screening, the government aims to enhance early detection, improve treatment efficiency, and make eye care more accessible to people across all socio-economic backgrounds.

With Nayanamritham 2.0, Kerala is setting an example for other states and countries on how AI can transform public health screening programs.

Key Highlights of Nayanamritham 2.0

Aspect	Details
Why in News?	Kerala launched Nayanamritham 2.0, the world’s first government-led AI-driven eye screening program.
Initiative By	Government of Kerala in collaboration with Remidio (health-tech company).
Purpose	Early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Technology Used	AI-powered fundus cameras to classify cases as referable or non-referable.
Expanded Coverage	Now implemented in Community Health Centers, Taluk Hospitals, and District Hospitals.
Global Significance	Kerala becomes the first public health system worldwide to adopt AI for chronic eye disease screening.
Expert Opinion	AI empowers healthcare providers by enabling faster screenings and reducing preventable blindness.