University of Iowa Health Care has become the first U.S. health care system to use IDx-DR, an artificial intelligence diagnostic system developed in Iowa that detects diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness for diabetic patients. In April, IDx-DR became the first autonomous AI diagnostic system cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Because it uses artificial intelligence to make a diagnostic assessment without requiring a clinician to interpret the image or results, IDx-DR enables providers who are not normally involved in eye care to test for the condition. UI Health Care began using the system on June 12 at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at UI Health Care – Iowa River Landing in Coralville, and plans to expand its use systemwide. IDX LLC was founded in 2010 by UI Health Care ophthalmologist Michael Abràmoff.  Between 12,000 and 24,000 Americans lose their vision to diabetic retinopathy each year, but the condition can be treated if caught early.