Aravind Eye Care System from India and the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to collaborate on the co‑development and clinical validation of EyeAgent, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)–powered clinical decision-support platform for ophthalmology and optometry. The signing marks a significant milestone in advancing safe, interpretable, and workflow-aligned AI solutions for global eye care.
Advancing Clinical AI in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Artificial intelligence has demonstrated strong performance in image-based disease detection. However, many current systems remain limited in structured clinical reasoning and integration into real-world clinical workflows.
To address these challenges, the RCSV at PolyU has developed the EyeAgent—an agentic AI framework that integrates large language models (LLMs) with validated ophthalmic tools and domain expertise. Designed as an assistive clinical decision-support system, EyeAgent emulates clinician-like reasoning, coordinates multimodal analyses, and generates transparent, evidence-based outputs to support diagnosis, triage, and management planning. Through this collaboration, EyeAgent will be further refined and clinically validated within the Aravind Eye Care System to ensure alignment with real-world ophthalmic workflows and diverse healthcare environments.
The Aravind Eye Care System (AECS), headquartered in southern India, is internationally recognised for delivering high-quality, affordable eye care at scale, serving millions of patients each year. Its innovative service model has become a global benchmark for equitable and sustainable healthcare delivery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. With its high patient volume, experienced specialists, and strong implementation network, Aravind offers an exceptional real-world setting for clinical validation of advanced AI solutions. This collaboration combines RCSV - PolyU’s leadership in AI innovation with Aravind’s global expertise in scalable eye care delivery, creating a powerful partnership to advance safe, impactful, and globally relevant AI-enabled ophthalmology and optometry.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr R. Kim, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Telemedicine and IT Services at AECS said: “At Aravind, we believe that technology, particularly artificial intelligence, has a vital role to play in expanding equitable access to high-quality eye care. We are encouraged by the innovative approach from the School of Optometry and RCSV at PolyU in developing EyeAgent and are pleased to support its refinement and broader implementation. This collaboration has the potential to meaningfully strengthen clinical practice and improve outcomes for patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to specialist expertise remains limited.”
Commenting on the partnership, Prof. He Mingguang, Director of RCSV and Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology in the School of Optometry at PolyU, shared,“At RCSV, we are committed to advancing innovative vision research and translating artificial intelligence technologies into impactful clinical solutions. Together with the School of Optometry at PolyU, a leading centre for vision science, clinical training and eye care research, we aim to integrate cutting-edge AI with strong clinical foundations. In partnership with Aravind Eye Care System, we look forward to further refining and clinically validating EyeAgent as a robust and scalable platform that enhances clinical decision making and expands access to quality eye care across diverse healthcare settings.”
The signing ceremony brought together leading figures from the fields of ophthalmology, optometry, artificial intelligence, and digital health, including clinical, research, and technology experts. Signatories included Prof. He Mingguang, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision, Co Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology at the School of Optometry, Global STEM Scholar under the HKSARG Global STEM Professorship Scheme, and Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Dr R. Kim, Chief Medical Officer of Aravind Eye Care System, Senior Consultant of Vitreoretinal Services at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, and Director of Aravind Telemedicine Network & IT Services. The ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research) at PolyU, and Dr Sanil Joseph, Senior Faculty and Health Services Research Consultant at the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology (LAICO), Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, India. Other attendees included Prof. George Woo, Emeritus Professor of the School of Optometry; Dr Shi Danli, Research Assistant Professor of the School of Optometry; and Postdoctoral Fellows Dr Elaine Yuen Ying To and Dr Yvette Wang.
This collaboration integrates PolyU’s leading strengths in artificial intelligence research with Aravind’s extensive experience in global clinical services and patient care networks. By applying advanced AI technologies to real-world ophthalmic practice, both parties aim to jointly develop a clinically practical and globally adaptable AI-assisted system to enhance diagnostic efficiency, strengthen clinician confidence, and improve patient outcomes. The MoU demonstrates a shared commitment to responsible AI development and international cooperation, shaping the future of digital eye care.
