Many people assume that our eyes are simply used to see the world around us; however, science has shown that the eye is so much more and can metaphorically be seen as a window to our health.
Did you know that:
The eye is the only place in the human body where part of your central nervous system is visible. In fact, when an optician observes the retina and optic nerve during an exam, they are actually looking at extensions of the brain [1].
Also, interestingly, many indicators of a particular condition for example diabetes can sometimes be seen in the eye before anywhere else in the body, this just reinforces the statement that our eyes are a window to our health.
At Occuity we’re using our patented optical technology to look into the eye like never before to reveal clues about underlying health issues. Our technology enables pain-free, non-contact disease screening and monitoring devices that will make it easier, quicker and safer to identify common health conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s through the analysis of subtle changes within the eye.
Diabetes is just one of the health conditions that can be identified through a comprehensive eye exam. The disease can affect many areas of the eye however the most common condition is diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye [2]. This is important as for example, in the United States, “Diabetes is now the leading cause of new blindness in adults” [1]. Fortunately, however, due to technological advances, earlier detection and timely treatment can be enough to prevent vision deterioration and blindness.
Another common condition is myopia, more commonly known as near or short-sightedness. Whilst myopia cannot be prevented or cured, studies suggest the progression of the disease can be slowed down if detected early and treatment administered. With rates of myopia increasing throughout the globe, due to a complex combination of factors, myopia has the potential to be an increasingly important healthcare challenge.
Another disease of the eye is glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness globally, despite both conditions having no cure, early detection through regular eye checks is imperative to managing both conditions and protecting your vision.
At Occuity we are using our knowledge of optics to develop our novel confocal scanning technology, that is already protected by 9 international patents, and enable the measurement of a suite of parameters through the eye that can be used for accurate measurement of both the physiological and chemical changes that are associated with disease progression.
We hope this article gives you a little more background information about the work we are doing here at Occuity and help you realise the importance of having an annual eye exam, which is a lot more than just getting a prescription for new glasses - it can be a safeguard to your overall health especially for those over the age of 40.
To learn more about our innovative product pipeline, check out our website here