Innovative tool diagnoses visual impairment in diabetic patients in minutes
PHOENIX (Sept. 4, 2025) – Banner Health is enhancing care for its diabetic patients through the use of a new, innovative diagnostic tool that tests for diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that can cause blindness if not detected in early stages, and nearly 75% of diabetics will develop some degree of it within 20 years of diagnosis.
The device was recently implemented at 24 Banner Health center and clinic locations in Phoenix and Tucson. The new technology makes the health care process smoother for patients by eliminating the need for remote exam reviews by a clinician and having to wait for results and referral coordination. Now, after an order is placed by a physician, primary care patients can have images of their retinas captured by the machine during a quick exam. Within minutes, a diagnostic report is produced to be discussed with the patient by the provider.
“This device is helping to make the health care journey a much more seamless experience for our diabetic patients,” said Dr. Jason Leubner, a Banner Health family medicine physician. “We’re excited to be able to eliminate some of the extra steps and frustration that could come with the former diagnostic process and ultimately improve patient care by being able to diagnose people earlier.”
The LumineticsCore device is the first FDA-cleared fully autonomous AI diagnostic system to detect disease without the need for physician interpretation. Because of the risk for eye diseases and lack of symptoms, eye experts recommend people with diabetes have their eyes tested each year.
About Banner Medical Group
Banner Medical Group, Banner Health’s employed provider group, is a team of more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practitioners across 65 specialties and more than 3,500 total employees located in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. Banner Medical Group primary care providers include pediatricians, internists, family medicine physicians and obstetricians/gynecologists. Our specialists care for patients in both clinic and hospital settings. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/doctors.