Q&A: Vicky Demas on the importance of simplifying retinal screenings and incorporating AI

Vicky Demas, PhD, CEO of identifeye HEALTH, spoke to Ophthalmology Times about the company's recent FDA registration and the it's innovative retinal imaging technology. The company formally registered with the FDA, enabling them to market their device in the United States and begin securing placements with major health systems for pilot programs.

Demas brings extensive experience to the role with her background in engineering and her work at the intersection of technology and healthcare, including work at Google X's Life Sciences Initiative, where she first encountered the concept of using the eye as a window into overall health. This background led them to recognize a critical gap in the market: while AI and image analysis capabilities existed, there was a lack of easy-to-use technology for capturing high-quality retinal images in general healthcare settings.

identifeye HEALTH's focus is making retinal imaging as simple as measuring blood pressure. Their AI-powered device allows medical assistants and administrative staff to capture high-quality retinal images without extensive training, while the system automatically verifies image quality for proper interpretation. This accessibility is crucial for implementing the technology in primary care offices, retail pharmacies, and community screening locations, bringing eye health monitoring closer to patients. The company's approach focuses on integrating into existing healthcare workflows to help triage patients effectively. Rather than replacing specialists, the technology identifies which patients truly need to see an ophthalmologist while preventing unnecessary bottlenecks in the system.

Their next major product development is an autonomous AI classifier for diabetic retinopathy screening, which will help risk-stratify patients at the appropriate intervention thresholds. Looking beyond ophthalmology, the company is exploring the retina's potential for detecting systemic diseases. Research has identified retinal biomarkers like vessel density and tortuosity as indicators of cardiovascular risk, particularly relevant for diabetic patients who face increased risks for heart disease and hypertension.

The company's immediate timeline involves securing partnerships with healthcare systems over the next few months, emphasizing collaborative relationships to guide product development. They plan to continue community screenings while progressively automating workflows and building trust through explainable AI features. Each device deployment creates a network effect, where every patient interaction makes the entire system smarter and more effective. The company's focus remains on building strong partnerships and gathering real-world data to ensure their solutions address genuine healthcare needs rather than theoretical problems.