Global approval and certification of ophthalmic AI devices: A comparative regulatory perspective

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are rapidly reshaping ophthalmology by improving screening and diagnosis for diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and increasingly retina-based systemic risk assessment. This narrative review provides a comparative assessment of regulatory pathways governing ophthalmic AI and software as a medical device (SaMD) across the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, China, Japan, Canada, India, and selected emerging jurisdictions. We used a structured search of public regulator databases, guidance documents, manufacturer disclosures, and peer-reviewed literature to assemble a representative sample of marketed or authorized devices through August 2025; the device inventory is illustrative rather than exhaustive. Key differences persist in device classification, evidence expectations, change management for adaptive algorithms, and post-market oversight. Examples such as LumineticsCore, EyeArt, DrNoon for CVD, CLAiR, and EyeWisdom illustrate how risk-based approaches vary across jurisdictions. These inconsistencies can delay multi-region deployment and complicate implementation, supporting the need for lifecycle-focused and internationally aligned standards for safe, transparent, and equitable use of ophthalmic AI.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Certification; Medical device legislation; Ophthalmology.