From retina to brain: how deep learning closes the gap in silent stroke screening

Silent brain infarctions (SBIs), affecting 20% of adults and increasing stroke risk, evade routine MRI screening. While retinal scans offer a “window to the brain,” prior AI failed to simultaneously detect SBIs and predict strokes. DeepRETStroke overcomes this by analysing eye scans. Trained on ~900,000 images, it uses deep learning combining self-supervised pattern recognition from unlabeled images, semi-supervised SBI detection with limited MRI, and knowledge transfer refinement, transforming eye exams into affordable stroke screenings.