One pathway, three studies

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of vision loss in older adults, but it can develop quietly for years. In its early and intermediate stages it rarely causes symptoms, so many people are diagnosed only once their sight is already permanently affected and the window for effective treatment has narrowed.

The I-SCREEN project aims to move that moment earlier. Its full study design is now published open access in the journal Eye, and the first screening figures are striking: around one in five people screened so far showed signs of early or intermediate AMD, or of geographic atrophy not yet affecting their vision, and were referred to a partner clinic for follow-up.

The project runs across six European countries and is built around three connected studies.

PYRENEES brings screening to places people already visit for eye care. A network of 28 community optometry and optician practices, linked to seven ophthalmology clinics, offers retinal OCT (optical coherence tomography) imaging to people aged 55 to 99 whose vision is still good. An ophthalmologist reviews the images remotely and issues a referral recommendation within five working days. By late May 2026, complete scan data had been collected from more than 2,700 people, over halfway to the target of 5,000.

SUDETES is designed to follow 500 patients with early or intermediate AMD every six months for two years, to learn who progresses to the late stage of the disease.

APENNINES is designed to follow 200 patients with geographic atrophy that has not yet reached the centre of vision, also for two years, to find out whose disease grows fastest.

Together, these studies provide the real world data needed to build AI tools that can detect AMD on scans taken at local practices and estimate each person's individual risk of progression.

Read the full study in Eye.