Japanese scientists have unveiled a portable screening device that could be used to detect early signs of glaucoma in non-traditional settings such as supermarkets, train stations or shopping malls.

Professor Toru Nakazawa from Tohoku University said the device “analyses multiple key indicators of glaucoma, integrates the findings, and determines the presence of the disease with unprecedented precision”.

At just 110 MB, the AI-GS network is designed for portability and efficiency. It requires minimal computational power and delivers diagnostic results in under a second.

“AI-GS brings expert-level glaucoma screening to your pocket, complementing specialist evaluations,” said Associate Professor Parmanand Sharma, also from Tohoku University.

“It can be run on a mobile device and used in all sorts of public places because of its portability. You can run screenings at train stations or even remote regions that otherwise have limited access to ophthalmologists.”

Prof Nakazawa said the artificial intelligence technology of the device “bridges a critical gap in glaucoma detection by making specialistlevel diagnostics accessible to underserved communities”.

“By enabling early detection on a large scale, we have the potential to prevent blindness for millions worldwide,” he said.