Orbis Launches AI-Led Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Project in Vietnam

Orbis has launched an AI-led diabetic retinopathy (DR) project in Vietnam, aiming to screen 72,000 people with diabetes over the next 3 years. The initiative focuses on providing AI-driven screenings, specialized training for screening teams, and enhancing community awareness of diabetic retinopathy.

Orbis has received a donation of six fundus cameras from Nidek, which is partnering with Orbis in the DR project. The devices have been deployed at six health facilities across three provinces in Vietnam. This marks the first time that Nidek fundus cameras will utilize Cybersight AI in routine screening settings.

With the number of people with diabetes projected to rise fivefold by 2030, nearly two million individuals in Vietnam are at risk of developing DR at some point in their lives, according to Orbis. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial in preventing vision loss, and this is where AI technology plays a vital role.

Cybersight AI, a tool developed by Orbis, can detect DR within seconds, bypassing the traditional long waits for screening results that depend on human graders. This rapid detection improves the timely referral of patients and enhances access to follow-up care, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

The project has been bolstered by a grant from Amazon Web Services (AWS), awarded to Orbis last year. With the support of Amazon’s cloud computing resources, access to AI-assisted eye screenings has been expanded across Vietnam.

In collaboration with Hanoi University, Orbis has also delivered both in-person and online training courses in DR photography and the use of Cybersight AI for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy. A virtual course was translated into Vietnamese, enabling participation from health professionals—even without an ophthalmology background. To date, around 500 health professionals have been trained via Cybersight.

To complement the installation of AI screening equipment and the training of medical staff, Orbis Vietnam is actively disseminating information, education, and communication materials aimed at raising public awareness of diabetic retinopathy and promoting better eye care practices across the country.

The effectiveness of Cybersight AI has already been demonstrated in peer-reviewed research conducted in Rwanda, which showed an increased uptake of referral services and high levels of patient satisfaction. The technology has also proven equally effective in screening children with diabetes as it is for adults, according to Orbis.