This AI app by AIIMS detects diabetic-retinopathy: What is it?
18 Nov 2025

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has unveiled MadhuNETrAI, India's first fully validated artificial intelligence (AI) app for detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR).

The initiative was done in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry's e-health division and Wadhwani AI.

DR is a leading cause of vision loss among diabetics. The app serves as an easy-to-use screening tool that analyzes retinal images and detects early signs of DR within seconds.

MadhuNETrAI: A blend of diabetes care, eye health, and AI
App features

The name MadhuNETrAI was coined by AIIMS RP Centre chief Prof. Radhika Tandon. It represents the intersection of diabetes care, eye health, and AI-enabled digital screening.

Dr. Rohan Chawla, a retina specialist and professor at the RP Centre, said this is one of India's most validated AI tools for eye screening.

He added that while many DR AI systems are being developed, validation remains a major challenge in clinical confidence.

MadhuNETrAI's impressive detection accuracy
Validation process

Dr. Chawla revealed that their model was validated on over 3,000-4,000 retinal pictures screened from nearly 13,000 in total.

This extensive testing has resulted in an impressive detection accuracy of over 95%.

The app works by analyzing retinal images taken with a fundus camera, a device that photographs the retina, blood vessels, macula and optic disk.

After uploading these images to the app, it classifies them as normal or varying degrees of diabetic retinopathy severity.

Potential to improve eye care access
User-friendly design

Dr. Chawla emphasized that the tool is user-friendly and can be used in low-resource settings.

The team is working on making the app compatible with different devices, including affordable fundus cameras and smartphones, and work without internet connectivity.

As a medical device, the software is being evaluated by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Dr. Chawla hopes to receive CDSCO's certification within six months for nationwide deployment of this innovative tool.

Impact on diabetic retinopathy screening in India
Screening statistics

Despite the app being free to implement, the major cost will be the fundus camera, which costs around ₹3 lakh.

Work is underway to provide these cameras at primary health centers and district hospitals for better screening access, particularly in rural areas.

A recent national survey revealed only 10% of Indians with diabetes are screened regularly for diabetic retinopathy, far below WHO-SEARO's target of 80% by 2030.