Mobile technology has become the future of medicine with the development of apps that can detect various health problems before they become visible. Researchers at the University of Washington have created an app that could detect the early signs of pancreatic cancer by simply looking at our eyes.

The app, 'BiliScreen,' uses a smartphone camera, computer vision algorithms and machine learning tools to detect increased bilirubin levels — reddish yellow pigment formed by the breakdown of red blood cells — in a person's sclera, which is the white part of the eye. Jaundice, the yellow discoloration of the skin, causes a rise in bilirubin levels before it's visible to the naked eye. However, researchers found BiliScreen is able to detect color changes in the eye as people take a selfie. BiliScreen could potentially help patients with pancreatic cancer who require frequent bilirubin monitoring.