About INSIGHT
We are the world's largest ophthalmic bio-resource, with over
35 million eye images linked to clinical data. We provide approved researchers with access to rich datasets, supported by data curation expertise, AI infrastructure, and patient involvement.
INSIGHT Timeline
Trace our development, from a 2015 collaboration between Moorfields and Google DeepMind to becoming a leading resource for data and AI-enabled research into eye health.
2015
Moorfields collaborates with DeepMind Technologies
Pearse Keane, consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields, initiates a research collaboration with DeepMind Technologies (now Google DeepMind), under the Moorfields and UCL leadership support of Sir Peng Khaw. The goal is to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system — using routinely collected eye scans — that can detect early signs of sight-threatening eye disease. The partnership is announced in May 2016.
2018
Breakthrough in AI technology to improve patient care
In August 2018, the journal Nature Medicine publishes results from the Moorfields–Google DeepMind collaboration. The jointly developed AI system can recommend the correct referral decision for over 50 eye diseases with 94% accuracy, matching world-leading eye experts.
2019
INSIGHT Health Data Research Hub for Eye Health is founded
Building on the research knowledge and computing infrastructure, data curation and AI expertise developed through the Moorfields–Google DeepMind collaboration, INSIGHT is established as one of seven digital innovation hubs funded by the UKRI Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and supported by Health Data Research UK (HDR UK). It was an NHS-led partnership of six organisations: Moorfields Eye Hospital and University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB), Roche Products Ltd, Google Health, Action Against Age-related Macular Degeneration and the University of Birmingham. Read more about INSIGHT's historic partnership with industry.
2022
Transition to a self-sustaining hub
After the UKRI grant award ends, Moorfields becomes the lead organisation for INSIGHT, with UHB continuing as a key NHS partner. The Hub forms an integral part of the broader INSIGHT Programme, which includes development of novel AI, cloud-based health data analytics and research tools, under renowned clinical research leadership.
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2023
World-first foundation model for eye health
Using INSIGHT's AI tools and computing infrastructure, researchers at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) develop the world's first AI foundation model for eye health, called RETfound. The open source model is trained on more than 1.6 million retinal images and provides the foundational capability to accelerate research efforts in preventing and treating eye disease using AI. The model is being used by researchers globally to accelerate efforts in preventing and treating eye disease using AI. Find out more.
How we benefit patients and the NHS
Our guiding principle is to benefit patients, the NHS and wider society through the development of new tools for disease detection, diagnosis, treatments and personalised healthcare. We do this by allowing approved researchers to access high quality, large-scale and anonymised health data. With data provided through INSIGHT, researchers can use advanced analytics, including AI, on many types of eye imaging and associated patient health records.
This type of research is well established, and has already led to breakthroughs in a number of areas of medicine. Our aim is to encourage and accelerate this work, and ultimately transform the way eye disease and other associated conditions are diagnosed and managed.
The INSIGHT Programme works in a sustainable way, generating revenue to cover operating costs, creating added value through research engagement, and raising revenue that is reinvested into the NHS.
Our people
Leadership team
Drawn from our partner institutions and beyond, our leadership group brings together a wealth of expertise in eye care, data management and patient involvement and engagement. Our team includes patient representatives who play a central role in our development, engagement and decision-making activities.
Data Trust Advisory Board
The INSIGHT Data Trust Advisory Board (DataTAB) comprises patients and members of the public, patients and professional experts from a range of complementary backgrounds. Their role is to scrutinise all requests to access the data under INSIGHT and advise on the ethics and patient-benefit of the proposed research. This ensures that patients and the public are involved in the decision-making process about who is allowed to access data and under what conditions.
Data Use Register
Our Data Use Register provides a public record of research applicants who have been granted access to data, following a rigorous assessment by the independent Data Trust Advisory Board (DataTAB).
The Data Use Register is updated regularly, as part of our commitment to transparency about who is given access to data, and how that data is used for patient benefit.
Each entry in the Data Use Register details the approved applicants name, which datasets have been accessed and when, how the data will be used, a statement of public benefit, and other key information.
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)
We are committed to ensuring that the views of patients and the public inform decision-making at every level as we develop our systems and processes. Our patient representative group meets regularly, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances to discuss and help shape INSIGHT activity and direction.
Through our communications outreach, we inform patients and public about the benefits of heath data research and the choices each person has about how their data is used. We also work closely with other PPIE groups to share learnings and increase the impact of our work.
INSIGHT is dedicated to maximising value to patients and the public by ensuring that future research findings from all studies conducted using INSIGHT data are published in an appropriate and timely way.
