Researchers from the Northern Medical Center (Poriya) and the Department of Information Systems at the University of Haifa, led by Prof. Ilan Shimshoni and researcher Dr. Ahmad Khatib, in collaboration with Dr. Shmuel Raz, have developed an innovative method for diagnosing vision focusing impairments (convergence insufficiency), a condition affecting millions of people worldwide, using artificial intelligence (AI) technology and a smartphone.
The method, called MobileS, uses the smartphone camera to automatically measure the near point of convergence (NPC), eliminating the need for special diagnostic tools or verbal feedback from the patient.
Convergence insufficiency is common, with about 10% of elementary school students potentially affected, and it manifests as headaches and double or blurred vision, mainly at near distances. Traditional diagnoses require special equipment, skilled professionals, and active patient cooperation, which sometimes delays diagnosis, especially in areas with lower accessibility.
The study, published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical and Translational Ophthalmology, showed a high correlation between MobileS diagnosis and conventional clinical diagnostic methods, with high accuracy and sensitivity and specificity metrics. Furthermore, in evaluating participant satisfaction, about 71% stated that they preferred using the app over traditional tests.
According to Dr. Hanin Jably-Habib, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at the Northern Medical Center and a leader of the practical trial of the app: "The use of MobileS will improve diagnosis and be practical for people living in remote areas who have difficulty accessing tests in centers with the required equipment, and it could serve as a prototype for additional applications in the field of eye movements."
Dr. Shmuel Raz added: "The major advantage of MobileS is its simplicity and convenience, as reflected by the participants’ satisfaction. This innovative development is expected to change the way vision disorders are diagnosed worldwide and provide an accessible, accurate, and efficient solution for anyone with a smartphone."
The researchers integrated a unique mechanism into the app called ExoCounter, which allows real-time tracking of eye movements and helps determine the near point of convergence accurately. In the next phase of research, the team plans to examine the app’s potential in the therapeutic aspect of the condition through training exercises within the app itself.
The study was conducted under the guidance of the AIR framework at the Northern Medical Center, which integrates academia, innovation, and research, and promotes entrepreneurship, research, and innovation among the medical center’s staff. Director of the Northern Medical Center, Dr. Noam Yehudai, said: "The research and development of the MobileS app clearly reflect our commitment to advancing medical innovation and improving access to advanced diagnostics, especially in northern Israel. Investment in research and breakthrough technologies is an integral part of our vision – to provide high-quality, precise, and accessible healthcare to everyone, everywhere."