Over 10,000 benefitted from Oman’s AI-based diabetic retinopathy programme

More than 10,000 people in Oman have already reaped the benefits of a groundbreaking national programme that uses artificial intelligence to detect diabetic retinopathy early — long before symptoms sneak in. The initiative, part of a sweeping push to modernise healthcare, has rolled out across 25 clinics in the Sultanate, promising to protect patients from preventable blindness and cut the disease off at the pass.

"This is about catching the problem before it catches you," says Dr. Majid bin Salem al-Shuaibi, a leading retinal disease consultant spearheading the effort. And by the looks of it, Oman is not only catching up with the world's best practices — it's sprinting ahead.

How does it work?

The programme is built around AI-powered screening systems that can scan retinal images with uncanny accuracy. Here's how it plays out:

• AI analysis: Retinal images are captured in clinics, then fed into AI software trained to flag even the earliest traces of diabetic retinopathy.
• Fast triage: Results come back quickly, helping doctors decide who needs immediate treatment and who just needs regular monitoring.
• Broad access: With 25 facilities now equipped, more patients — even those in remote areas — can get screened without long waits or referrals.

Dr. Majid stresses that the technology is only half the battle. Equally important is the web of support around it: electronic reminders, follow-up calls, social media nudges, and even printed posters that keep diabetic patients in the loop about why early screening matters.

Why does it matter?

Diabetic retinopathy is one of those silent threats — no pain, no warning signs, until vision is already under siege. Left unchecked, it can lead to irreversible blindness. But early detection changes the game.

• Lower risk of vision loss: The earlier the disease is spotted, the better the odds of preserving sight.
• Faster, cheaper care: AI streamlines diagnosis, cuts costs, and frees up specialist time.
• Public health boost: Catching cases early reduces the long-term burden on healthcare systems.

"This is not just about machines," Dr. Majid says. "It's about giving people a fighting chance before it's too late."

The context

Oman's embrace of AI for diabetic retinopathy screening puts it in rare company — it's only the third country in the world to roll out such a system nationally. The move signals a deliberate bet on digital health innovation, pairing state-of-the-art tools with boots-on-the-ground awareness campaigns.

The programme targets every patient with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, offering screenings well before symptoms emerge. In Dr. Majid's words, the message is clear: don't wait for trouble to show up. And with AI as its wingman, Oman's health system is setting a high bar for precision, speed, and reach — saving eyesight, one scan at a time.