The field of ophthalmology is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. At the forefront of this movement is Yannek I. Leiderman, MD, PhD, professor of ophthalmology, vitreoretinal diseases and surgery, and prominent vitreoretinal surgeon and translational researcher at Duke Eye Center. Leiderman is leading groundbreaking research to integrate AI into surgical procedures, promising to revolutionize the treatment of complex eye conditions such as retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and macular surgery. His dedication and passion for enhancing surgical precision and efficiency aligns seamlessly with Duke’s legacy of innovation and commitment to pioneering technologies that positively impact patient outcomes.
A New Era in Surgical Precision
Leiderman — who joined Duke Eye Center in the Fall of 2024 — is concentrating his efforts in a future where AI will become an indispensable ally to surgeons, guiding real-time decision-making and informing treatment plans. By harnessing the power of this technology, clinicians can expect to uncover hidden patterns and trends, enhance precision and optimize surgical techniques, minimize the risk of complications and improve outcomes.
One of the most promising applications of AI in vitreoretinal medicine is the development of surgical guidance systems. These systems can suggest optimal surgical interventions and provide surgeons with immediate feedback on progress during a procedure. By leveraging the power of AI, ophthalmologists can achieve greater accuracy and efficiency in their treatment.
“Microsurgery of the eye is an exacting and demanding activity, and like other endeavors at the limits of human performance that have benefitted greatly from integrating AI, such as aviation and space exploration, AI has the power to analyze large amounts of data quickly and accurately to facilitate a broad array of tasks, and has the potential to transform ophthalmic microsurgery,” shared Leiderman.
The Future of Surgical Training
In addition to its clinical applications, AI is poised to revolutionize surgical training. Leiderman’s research aims to provide tools to help trainees in surgery understand their technical and cognitive performance through analysis of surgical tasks and decision making following a procedure. By analyzing the performance of trainees, AI can help identify areas for improvement and provide personalized feedback. This will enable surgeons to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to perform intricate procedures with confidence and expertise.
A Collaborative Approach
Leiderman emphasizes the importance of internal collaboration among clinicians, researchers, engineers and computer scientists, as well as with other institutions, to drive innovation across all ophthalmic specialties. The unique academic environment at Duke — with its world-class Department of Biomedical Engineering and School of Medicine in close proximity to each other and operating room suites — provides an ideal platform for interdisciplinary research. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, researchers are able to accelerate the development of new technologies and bring them to the clinic more quickly.
A Brighter Future for Patients
The integration of AI and data science into vitreoretinal surgery holds the promise of a brighter future for patients battling with complex eye conditions. By increasing surgical efficacy, reducing complications and enhancing surgical education, AI-powered technologies will significantly enhance patient outcomes. As Leiderman and his team continue to push the boundaries of innovation, we can look forward to a future where vision-threatening diseases are treated with greater efficacy.
“Duke is recognized as a leader in surgical innovation, and I believe we are poised to continue to revolutionize surgical and clinical care in the dawning era of AI in healthcare,” said Leiderman. “Our ecosystem includes world-renowned surgeon-innovators, biomedical engineers, computer scientists and so many other team members dedicated to the provision of excellent patient care at the leading edge. The application of AI to healthcare is a multidisciplinary collaborative effort, something at which we excel at Duke.”