The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetic Retinopathy

Background/Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a progressive microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide. Early detection and timely management are critical in preventing vision loss, yet current screening programs face challenges, including limited specialist availability and variability in diagnoses, particularly in underserved areas. This literature review explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the diagnosis, screening, and management of diabetic retinopathy. It examines AI's potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, accessibility, and patient outcomes through advanced machine-learning and deep-learning algorithms. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic review of the published literature to explore advancements in the diagnostics of diabetic retinopathy. Relevant articles were identified by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Studies focusing on the application of artificial intelligence in screening, diagnosis, and improving healthcare accessibility for diabetic retinopathy were included. Key information was extracted and synthesized to provide an overview of recent progress and clinical implications. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence holds transformative potential in diabetic retinopathy care by enabling earlier detection, improving screening coverage, and supporting individualized disease management. Continued research and ethical deployment will be essential to maximize AI's benefits and address challenges in real-world applications, ultimately improving global vision health outcomes.