Dr. Keane Pearse, clinician and scientist in the United Kingdom, strongly believes in AI’s capacity to reinvent eye exams...
Keane is an ophthalmologist, clinician, and scientist in the United Kingdom, where he is leading efforts to implement machine learning in healthcare. Dr. Keane is a proud graduate of University College of Dublin in Ireland, where he obtained a Bachelor and a Masters in General Physiology before earning a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (United Kingdom equivalent to MD in the United States of America). He proceeded with his studies with an MD degree (UK equivalent to a higher doctorate or research doctorate in the USA). Among many distinctions, Dr. Keane was the first ophthalmologist to earn the National Institute for Health Research Clinician Scientist Award.(1,2)
The Doheny Eye Institute of the University College of London employed him as a Research Fellow. He got certified as a Senior Grader for Fluorescein Angiography and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) before starting his higher doctorate.(2)
Further experience includes being a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) academic clinical lecturer in Moorfields Eye Hospital and an NIHR clinician-scientist in the Institute of Ophthalmology, part of the Faculty of Brain Sciences at the University College of London.(1)
Dr. Keane is one of the leading minds in a joint effort made by Moorfields Eye Hospital and the University College of London Institute of Ophthalmology with the support of a company called DeepMind Health Research. The objective is to conquer Machine Learning development by applying deep neural networks technology to analyze highly complex OCT scans.(3)
A knowledgeable feature of these networks’ advances is an insight output that includes the rationale for the machine’s recommendations. Doing so allows clinicians to examine and consider the overall analysis and recommendations, so Deep learning joined with physician knowledge-based clinical decisions can integrate to improve patient outcomes.(3)
So far, it has proven expert-similar performance in referrals decisions matching 94% of the time those of expert clinicians. Outstandingly this Machine Learning system can be easily applied to other eye scanning techniques, so this technology is durable even OCTs are modified, enhanced, or replaced over time with the development of new imaging techniques.(3)
Another distinguishing feature of this figure’s publication profile includes articles focused on the clinician’s perspective and critical analysis when facing studies regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence. In an article published in Translational Vision Science & Technologies, several authors emphasize the most important aspects a clinician should review when facing an Artificial Intelligence-based publication and critically analyzing it. Many physicians feel threatened by the amount and nature of the published information as it escapes from average medical standardization and focuses on topics not familiar to the classical medical profile. This fact worsens when considering the accelerated development of this field and the entry of many different professions (such as statisticians, mathematicians, among others) into artificial intelligence’s medical uses.(4)
Additionally, Dr. Pearse Keane has recently incurred a global effort to standardize reporting AI research studies results. Expectations imply that better analysis, comparison, and interpretation of clinical data will occur after the widespread application of these measures to on-growing data that experienced a ten-fold rise since 2017. This effort encourages the universal use of new extensions for the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines for the report of trials involving Artificial intelligence.(5,6)
Additionally, Dr. Pearse Keane has recently incurred a global effort to standardize reporting AI research studies results. Expectations imply that better analysis, comparison, and interpretation of clinical data will occur after the widespread application of these measures to on-growing data that experienced a ten-fold rise since 2017.
This effort encourages the universal use of new extensions for the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines for the report of trials involving Artificial intelligence.(5,6)
Last May, Dr. Keane discussed his latest projects and published articles with one of the most prominent scientists in AI, Dr. Eric Topol. This discussion’s main topic was one paper recently published on The Lancet about doctors, with no initiation in AI, that are working with these tools. He emphasized the importance of physicians being involved in deep learning to increase the future use of technology in healthcare. He said, “It’s only by empowering clinical researchers that we will actually realize the true potential of AI.” He also addressed many healthcare workers’ concerns about whether Artificial Intelligence will replace humans. He denies that using these platforms will replace experts in the future and encourage them to focus on deep learning’s primary goal, producing better outcomes for patients.(7)
He also discussed the use of telemedicine along with AI as a tool that may offer several opportunities to explore and accelerate new ways of working. Dr. Keane believes that this will bring world-leading expertise into the community, improving patients’ healthcare experiences.(7)
Currently, he is a consultant Ophthalmologist of the Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, an Associate Professor at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and part of the UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship. Dr. Keane was listed in 2020 on the “The Power List” by The Ophthalmologist magazine, a ranking of the Top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology.(8)
Currently, he is a consultant Ophthalmologist of the Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, an Associate Professor at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and part of the UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship. Dr. Keane was listed in 2020 on the “The Power List” by The Ophthalmologist magazine, a ranking of the Top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology.(8)