Hyderabad, Dec 19 (IANS): With an aim to help millions of visually impaired through artificial intelligence (AI), Microsoft India and LV Prasad Eye Institute on Monday launched Microsoft Intelligent Network for Eyecare (MINE).

Microsoft will deploy its leading cloud platform technology -- Cortana Intelligence Suite -- for advanced analytics and to build AI models on eyecare.

"MINE reinforces Microsoft's belief in the combined power of data, cloud and advanced analytics to drive public good. MINE will help redefine eyecare by bringing together the power of technology and knowledge of global experts," Anil Bhansali, Managing Director, Microsoft India (R&D) Pvt Ltd, said in a statement.

The partner organisations of this consortium include Bascom Palmer -- University of Miami, Flaum Eye Institute -- University of Rochester (USA), Federal University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Brien Holden Vision Institute (Australia). 

The partners will work on diverse datasets of patients across geographies to come up with machine learning predictive models for vision impairment and eye disease.

They will study data and apply advanced analytics with Microsoft machine learning technology to derive insights. 

"We are confident that this partnership will not only open doors to opportunities in the field of eyecare but also pave way for others to leverage technology to address several other critical eye diseases," added Dr GN Rao, Founder-Chair, LV Prasad Eye Institute.

MINE will bring together different partner organisations on Azure and collectively work on ideas of impact.

Currently, 285 million people are visually impaired globally of which 55 million are in India.