| Keyword |
Description |
| Retinal |
Light‑sensing layer at the back of the eye that helps create images |
| Artifial Intelligence |
Computer methods that learn patterns to make predictions in data, like spotting disease in pictures |
| Adapter |
Simple add‑on that helps a phone safely capture clear retinal images |
Mexican student Alejandro Aguilar, from SABES Celaya in Guanajuato, won Mexico’s 2025 James Dyson National Award for OpticalApp, a smartphone tool that analyzes eye photos to flag retinal diseases in under 30 seconds, even offline. Designed for people without medical training, the app explains symptoms in simple language, supports multiple languages, and includes an audio assistant for accessibility. A low‑cost, easy‑to‑manufacture adapter lets a phone camera capture fundus images safely, offering a cheaper alternative to professional instruments. Aguilar’s project stood out among 2,100 entries as one of 28 national winners, responding to a real need: INEGI reports that 45.8% of people with a visual disability in Mexico struggle to see even with glasses, and experts say about 80% of blindness could be prevented with timely diagnosis.
OpticalApp uses artificial intelligence to scan retinal images and identify up to 28 diseases, guiding users with clear explanations on when to seek medical care. Aguilar said the toughest challenge was aligning the phone’s light to the pupil without blinding the subject, and future versions aim for a more stable, integrated structure with a stronger lens and better light control. He built the app with widely available AI tools, including Google Colab and a coding assistant, and refined ideas through his family’s experience in vision exams, after first exploring an unrelated health app and pivoting to eyes when quality datasets were available.
The award brings 126,000 pesos to continue development, and the competition will name its top 20 finalists on Oct. 15. Other Mexican projects recognized include Rho, a menstrual garment for women facing poverty, and Lifecore, a heart‑transplant transport system, while last year’s Mexican winner created the Signal Glove to translate Mexican Sign Language. Together, the recognition and the prototype show how careful engineering and low‑cost parts can expand early eye screening to more communities quickly and affordably.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Structure |
Estructura |
| Adapter |
Adaptador |
| Finalists |
Finalistas |
Time to discuss
- Should offline health tools be used before visiting a doctor?
- What makes a medical app truly accessible for diverse users?
- How do student awards influence real‑world problem solving?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Propose a way to improve OpticalApp’s adapter and explain how it would help.
- Tell a story of early detection preventing a larger health problem, and why timing mattered.
