Skip to content
Medical Health Aged Care

Optometrists keep an eye on heart health

For immediate release - September 28, 2023 2 mins read

With 2023 research suggesting 66 per cent of people susceptible to heart disease are unaware they are at risk, new optometry technology is breaking ground in the detection of potential heart issues through the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

As a means of bridging the gap between eye care and general health care, Bupa Optical’s Microvascular Health Assessment uses AI technology to detect underlying health problems and help customers better understand whether they are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

To date, the Microvascular Health Assessment has graded three per cent of customers whose heart health risk rating has been assessed by the tool as ‘poor’ with Bupa optometrists subsequently advising them to see their doctor for possible further tests and discussions before many knew they may have a health issue.

Guneet Sawhney, Director Bupa Optical & Hearing said the test compares a patient’s eyes with a database of retinal images in a matter of seconds to check for similarities to other conditions that may be a signs of a potential heart issue through a detailed report.

“The eye is a window into the heart and the only place in the body where people can get a direct, non-invasive view of a person’s blood vessels which can tell a broad story about an individual’s current and future health risks,” Guneet said.

“Through our Microvascular Health Assessment tool, we’re extending routine eye tests into broader non-invasive health checks which can be referred to a medical professional if any red flags come up. This makes heart health monitoring more accessible for everyday Australians.”

This advice is being reinforced in the lead-up to World Heart Day aimed at promoting better heart health practices such as eating better, exercising more and regularly monitoring your health. Around the world cardiovascular disease kills more than 20.5 million people every year and accounts for one in four Australian deaths.  

“We truly believe this technology, which is available as an add-on to a standard eye test, can help customers better understand their underlying heart health,” Guneet said.

For more information or to book an eye test at your nearest Bupa Optical store visit here


 

 

Please contact:

Eli Grynberg

External Communications Manager, Bupa

Email: eli.grynberg@bupa.com.au
Mob: 0401 135 713

 

 

More from this category

  • Agriculture Farming Rural, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 11/02/2025
  • 17:00
Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges

Medical Colleges Double Down on Training Specialists for Regional Australia

Australia's medical colleges are backing their commitment to regional healthcare with concrete action, launching an unprecedented expansion of specialist training in regional, rural, and remote areas. This expansion reflects a coordinated effort across all medical colleges to address the critical shortage of specialists outside major cities. "Our rural and regional communities deserve the same access to specialist care as our cities," said Associate Professor Sanjay Jeganathan, Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC). "We're seeing real results from our colleges' commitment to rural training." The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has filled all rural training positions…

  • Government VIC, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 11/02/2025
  • 15:33
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education

FARE supports Victorian Coroner’s calls for alcohol delivery reforms

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) has supported Coroner Ingrid Giles’ call for reforms to the state’s alcohol laws today, including restrictions to the delivery of alcohol. Following the Inquest into the death of Victorian woman, Ms Kathleen Arnold, due to “alcohol toxicity in the context of chronic alcohol consumption,” the Coroner’s recommendations include: - prohibit home delivery of alcohol between 10pm and 10am. - require a minimum two-hour delay between order and dispatch of alcohol for home delivery. - develop a new Alcohol Action Plan or a program of work (including specific actions,timeframes, accountabilities, and public reporting…

  • Contains:
  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 11/02/2025
  • 15:20
Royal Australian College of GPs

WA Liberals package a model for rebuilding GP access: RACGP

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has praised today’s announcement of a package to increase Western Australians’ access to GPs and reduce hospital readmissions by the state opposition as parties in WA gear up for the 8 March election. The $140 million package includes $40,000 GP training incentive grants to grow WA’s specialist GP workforce, funding to give hospital-based junior doctors hands-on experience in accredited general practices, $60 million funding for patients to consult with a specialist GP following hospital discharge, and funding to upskill GPs in prescribing for ADHD. Several of these measures reflect solutions that have been…

  • Contains:

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.