A real-world AI-based infrastructure for screening and prediction of progression in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) providing accessible shared care
Work Packages
The project activities are managed in so-called Work Packages. I-Screen is set up around six such Work Packages. Different partners take the lead on achieving different tasks within a particular Work Package while ensuring close collaboration with other institutions and across the different Work Packages.
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Work Package 1 - Observational studies - cohort of patients with intermediate/atrophic AMD
This part of the I-SCREEN project aims to improve our understanding of how age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progresses over time. AMD is a common eye disease that can lead to vision loss. WP1 involves conducting two long-term studies with patients at different stages of AMD. The aim is to collect detailed eye scans and health information from these patients at regular intervals. These data will help researchers identify patterns in how the disease develops and progresses. This work includes establishing the studies at clinics, obtaining the necessary approvals, and ensuring that all required equipment and processes are in place. This information will be used to train and test new artificial intelligence tools that may help doctors predict and manage AMD more effectively.
Work package 2 – Artificial Intelligence science for Retinal Imaging
This work package aims to improve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in analysing retinal scans and predicting the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can lead to vision loss. We are developing AI tools that can efficiently learn from a series of 3D eye scans (OCT scans) taken over time, to help predict how AMD will develop in each individual patient. A key focus is ensuring the AI is trustworthy, with predictions that are reliable, explainable, and clinically useful. Another important goal is to ensure this technology works not only on expensive, high-end scanners found in large hospitals and research centres, but also on more affordable OCT devices commonly used in everyday eye clinics. In this way, we aim to support earlier and more accurate detection of AMD in more people, helping to prevent vision loss and improve accessibility to eye care.
Work package 3 – Image collection and screening algorithm for intermediate/atrophic AMD detection by a cloud-based platform
RetInSight’s Work Package has two main goals, both of which are central to I-SCREEN’s vision of preventing widespread vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). First, it provides a secure platform to collect and manage clinical data for the three clinical trials (Pyrenees, Sudetes, and Apennines) participating in the I-SCREEN project. This ensures that data from clinics across Europe are gathered consistently, stored securely, and easily shared for research and care. Second, it develops an AI screening algorithm to detect early signs of AMD in people in local community settings. By identifying risk before serious damage occurs, we aim to enable timely and accessible treatment. Together, these efforts support I-SCREEN’s mission to establish an efficient, cost-effective AI-powered infrastructure that allows local eye care professionals to deliver reliable early detection and monitoring of AMD, ensuring fewer people suffer vision loss.
Work package 4 – AI-based detection of AMD in community-based low-cost OCT imaging
Work Package 4 focuses on using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify early signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common eye disease, in community eye care. Led by the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO), this work package invites people aged 55 and over to have a quick scan of the back of their eye (OCT) during their regular eye examinations. These scans are securely uploaded, in full compliance with data protection regulations, and reviewed by experts at the Medical University of Vienna. If signs of disease are detected, patients are referred to partner clinics for further care. The project involves 22 optometry sites across Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK. Additionally, a partner clinic in France is also conducting OCT scans. The aim is to collect 5,000 scans and to train an AI tool to help detect AMD at an earlier stage. This will facilitate cooperation among eye care professionals, support them in providing faster feedback, reduce delays in diagnosis, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients by ensuring they receive timely treatment.
Work package 5 – Project management and scientific coordination
Work Package 5 in I-SCREEN plays a central role in ensuring the project runs smoothly, both scientifically and administratively. It provides a robust management framework through regular meetings at various levels, enabling effective communication, risk mitigation, and coordinated decision-making across all partners. A key focus is scientific oversight, with close monitoring of progress, milestones, and deliverables, while fostering collaboration to address challenges collectively. WP5 has also been instrumental in building the infrastructure for a pioneering pan-European AMD screening network, adapting processes to national differences. In addition, it provides legal and contractual guidance, establishes transparent financial and reporting procedures, and offers ongoing administrative support through dedicated tools and platforms. Altogether, WP5 ensures coordination, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
Work package 6 – Innovation management: C&D&E
Work Package 6 leads Innovation Management: Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation (CDE), enabling people to understand, trust and use I-SCREEN’s results. We plan and deliver project-wide communication, including a clear website, shared toolkits and quality checks for stories, visuals and news. We publish through open access (OA) wherever possible and share results on European platforms such as the Horizon Results Platform, Open Research Europe, the European Open Science Cloud and the Knowledge Valorisation Platform. We also translate findings into real-world solutions by identifying key exploitable results (KERs), running uptake workshops, establishing fair intellectual property (IP) rules and ownership, monitoring technology and freedom to operate, and tracking follow-up after the project. The outcome is research that is visible, reusable and ready to benefit society.
Work package 7 – Ethics requirements
WP7 ensures that the ethical challenges arising from the implementation of I-SCREEN in real-world healthcare settings are addressed professionally, transparently, and in a timely manner. To guarantee full compliance with the highest ethical standards, an independent Ethics Advisory Board (EAB) has been established. The EAB plays a central advisory role, offering expert guidance on ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of the project, with particular attention to the development and validation of the AI algorithms within I-SCREEN. Its four members were carefully selected for their proven expertise in artificial intelligence, data protection, legal frameworks, and the medical field of age-related macular degeneration and will be working with the consortium throughout the full project duration.