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AI-Assisted Eye Scans Reveal Heart Health Risks
New system uses retinal imaging and AI to identify cardiovascular disease risk during routine eye exams.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:42am
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An advanced AI system that analyzes retinal scans could help identify more people at risk of heart disease, enabling earlier intervention.Stanford TodayA new system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess cardiovascular risk based on images of the eye captured during eye exams demonstrated strong correlation with standard cardiovascular risk assessments. Researchers said using AI to screen for heart disease risk during routine eye exams could help more people become aware of their risk and facilitate referrals for preventative care.
Why it matters
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but not everyone sees a primary care provider regularly and may not be aware of their risk or steps they can take to reduce it. This AI-powered eye scan system could help identify more people at risk and connect them to the preventative care they need.
The details
The AI system, called CLAiR, was able to identify participants at high risk of heart disease or stroke in the next 10 years with 91.1% sensitivity and 86.2% specificity compared to standard cardiovascular risk assessments. The system analyzes patterns in blood vessels visible in retinal images to assess risk. Researchers say the approach could be implemented in most eye care settings, although more work is needed to facilitate referrals to primary care for at-risk patients.
- The study was presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) on March 30, 2026.
- The CLAiR system received Breakthrough Device designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The players
Michael V. McConnell
Clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University and lead author of the study. He also serves as chief health officer at Toku, the company that created the CLAiR AI system.
Toku
The company that developed the CLAiR AI system used in the study to analyze retinal images and identify cardiovascular disease risk.
What they’re saying
“The awareness that someone might be at risk is really one of the key missing pieces. The image of the back of your eye has a wealth of health information. We can analyze these images with AI to help people become aware of their risk and have the opportunity to get guideline-based evaluation and preventive therapy.”
— Michael V. McConnell, Clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University
“Even just a standard retinal photo provides high resolution imaging of your blood vessels—it's a literal window into vascular tissue.”
— Michael V. McConnell, Clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University
What’s next
The results of this first prospective evaluation of the CLAiR system in the U.S. will support FDA submission for the device.
The takeaway
This AI-powered eye scan technology could significantly improve early detection of cardiovascular disease risk and help connect more people to the preventative care they need, addressing a critical gap in current healthcare practices.
