Ukraine is pioneering a new approach to diabetic care by using artificial intelligence to detect early signs of vision-threatening complications. In a recent pilot initiative, AI-driven retinal screening was introduced to identify diabetic retinopathy — a common yet often overlooked condition that can lead to preventable blindness.
Between October 2024 and March 2025, over 870 people with diabetes in the Odessa and Chernihiv regions underwent screenings via the CheckEye platform. Designed for speed and simplicity, the process requires no pupil dilation, allows nurses to capture images, and delivers AI-generated results in less than 30 seconds.
“Digital screening using artificial intelligence helps quickly identify patients with diabetic retinopathy and direct ophthalmologic care to those who truly need it. Such programs, implemented by nurses without involving doctors, have already proven their effectiveness — they reduce costs, ease the burden on specialized facilities, and make examinations more accessible,” noted the Deputy Minister of Health for Digital Transformation.
A total of 873 patients underwent screening. In 651 cases (75%), no signs of diabetic retinopathy were detected, while 222 patients (25%) were referred to an ophthalmologist based on the results.
In advanced stages of the disease, patients require treatment by an ophthalmologist, whereas in early stages, the condition can be effectively managed without specialized medical care through adjustments to diabetes treatment and lifestyle changes.
The pilot project confirmed that implementing digital screening enables the detection of the disease at an early stage, significantly increasing patients’ chances of preserving their vision.
This streamlined use of AI helps ease the strain on healthcare systems while boosting early detection and patient outcomes — especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas. Ukraine’s experience offers a practical, scalable blueprint for modernizing chronic disease screening and tackling avoidable vision loss worldwide.
