Interest in Oculomics is growing almost daily. As Occuity are becoming increasingly known as an industry leader in the field of Oculomics, we were delighted to be asked to write an article for longevity-focused portal, Longevity Technology on the subject. Occuity's Retinal Imaging Scientist Dr Emily Patterson, happily obliged, producing a fascinating article which explains why ocular biomarkers have a promising future in the quest for longevity. You can read Emily's article here: "Oculomics: Keeping an Eye on Your Healthspan".
The article begins by mentioning crystallomancy, "the ancient practice of predicting the future using a crystal ball. In the modern era, this mystical art has evolved into a scientific discipline termed "Oculomics," where the eye becomes a window to understanding systemic health and disease through ocular biomarkers.
Emily continues to explain the biological foundations of oculomics, emphasising how ocular biomarkers offer insights into various bodily systems. With interconnected components like aqueous and vitreous humor, lens, retinal vasculature, choroid, and optic nerve, the eye serves as a unique platform for predicting one's health span.
A highlight of Oculomics is its potential to predict biological age, a metric more reflective of overall health than chronological age. Emily discusses how this predictive power can act as a "wake-up call," empowering individuals to make lifestyle adjustments conducive to a longer and healthier life.
The crystalline lens, a continuously growing tissue, provides a historical record of the eye. Emily details how oculomics can detect age-related issues like cataracts and unveil information about molecules like Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs), offering insights into conditions such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
Turning attention to retinal biomarkers, Emily also highlights studies combining oculomics with AI tools to predict biological age and assess chronic disease risks. The retina's role in indicating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, opens new avenues for early intervention and drug development.
As Emily concludes her article, she emphasises the exciting time for oculomics research, driven by advances in imaging technology. Oculomics not only enables us to understand the past and present but also holds the potential to shape our future, offering opportunities to change our health "fate."
Occuity and Oculomics
The potential of oculomics is vast, and its implications are transformative. Occuity is at the forefront of utilising the potential of oculomics and we’re working on an innovative technology platform that is being developed into a range of handheld optical devices that are, by definition, non-invasive. The research and development being undertaken by Occuity demonstrates how technological innovation, combined with the knowledge of oculomics, can pave the way for better healthcare solutions.
About Dr. Emily Patterson
Emily initially trained as an experimental psychologist at the University of Warwick and later went on to obtain a PhD in Optometry and Visual Science at City University. Continuing her time in academia, she then worked as a postdoctoral researcher in a retinal imaging lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin, studying adaptive optics. After five years in the US, Emily returned to the UK to work at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, where she became a Principal Investigator for a project investigating oculomics for diabetes.
Emily joined Occuity in February 2023 as a Retinal Imaging Scientist where she performs key roles in grant management, clinical research, dissemination, and ethics.