Before the study
Who can take part in this study? ↓
The study is open to adults aged 18 and over. Specific eligibility criteria may vary by study site and are described in your site's participant information sheet. If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact the research team before your appointment.
Do I need to have an eye condition to take part? ↓
No. We welcome participants with and without known eye conditions. In fact, including people across the full spectrum of eye health is important for developing AI models that work reliably across diverse populations.
Is there any payment or compensation for taking part? ↓
Participants are not paid for taking part. However, you will receive a summary of your fundus image AI analysis result as described in the information sheet, which may have personal health value. Any reasonable travel expenses incurred specifically for the study appointment may be reimbursable — please ask the research team.
During the study
Does the eye photography hurt or involve any risk? ↓
No. Fundus photography is entirely non-invasive and painless. A brief flash of light will be used to illuminate the back of your eye. You may notice a temporary after-image lasting a few seconds, similar to any camera flash. There are no injections, eye drops, or physical contact with your eye.
Will I be able to see my results? ↓
Yes. You will receive a brief summary of the AI classification output for your image. This is provided for information only and is not a medical diagnosis. If the AI system flags anything that may warrant clinical attention, you will be advised to discuss this with your optometrist or GP. We will not interpret these results for you medically — that is the role of a qualified clinician.
How long will my appointment take? ↓
The full study appointment, including consent, imaging, and questionnaire, takes approximately 15–20 minutes. No follow-up visits are required for the basic study participation.
Withdrawal & data
Can I change my mind and withdraw? ↓
Yes, at any time and without providing a reason. Contact the principal investigator at alex [at] eyemap [dot] ai. If your data has not yet been fully anonymised and merged into the research dataset, we will delete it. Once anonymised, it may not be possible to identify and remove your specific contribution — but at that point your identity is no longer associated with the data in any way.
Will my data be used for anything other than this research? ↓
No. Your anonymised data will only be used for the ophthalmic AI research purposes described in the Participant Information Sheet. It will not be sold to any commercial entity or used in ways not covered by your consent. Any new use of your data would require a new consent process.
Who will see my data? ↓
Only named members of the EyeMap.ai Labs research team will have access to identifiable information. See the
Data Rights document for full details.
Will I be identifiable in any publications? ↓
No. All publications and presentations will use aggregated, anonymised data. No individual participant can be identified in any output from this research.
Results & follow-up
When will the study results be available? ↓
Research timelines vary. If you would like to receive a plain-English summary of the published results, please indicate this on your consent form and provide an email address. We will contact you when results are available — typically within 12–24 months of study completion.
What if the AI system finds something that might be wrong with my eyes? ↓
If the AI system produces a result that warrants clinical attention, the research team will advise you to speak with your optometrist or GP as soon as is appropriate. We will not provide a clinical interpretation of the finding — that is the role of a qualified eye care professional. If you have concerns about your eye health at any time, you should contact your optometrist directly.
Who do I contact if I have a complaint? ↓
In the first instance, please contact the principal investigator: alex [at] eyemap [dot] ai. If you prefer to raise a concern independently of the research team, please contact the ethics committee listed in the study-specific appendix to your information sheet. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection authority. If you are based in the EU, you may contact the supervisory authority in your country of residence or establishment — a full list is available at
edpb.europa.eu .
.