Advanced Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging with AI-analytics for Detection of Debilitating Ocular Pathologies in the Field for Pilots and other Military Personnel

Vision-threatening pathology in the field poses significant risks to military personnel, particularly pilots and flight crews, where vision loss can jeopardize mission success and lives. Central serous retinopathy (CSR) and laser injuries are key threats to Air Force personnel, while ocular trauma is a concern across all military branches. Early detection and intervention are critical, yet current diagnostic tools are unavailable in forward-deployed settings, requiring costly and disruptive medical evacuations, even when treatment may not be necessary. CSR is a leading cause of vision loss in pilots, with Air Force personnel experiencing the highest incidence. Pilots face increased risk due to chronic stress, and demanding operational conditions. Traditional CSR diagnosis occurs months to years after onset, often leading to extended removal from flight duty. However, early detection using UWF-OCTA can enable intervention before vision loss occurs, preserving operational readiness.Ocular trauma prognosis depends on rapid and precise retinal evaluation, which currently requires specialized assessment unavailable in field settings. Medics lack access to advanced retinal imaging, forcing unnecessary evacuations. Existing OCTA technology, while effective for diagnosing retinal disease, is impractical for field use due to portability and imaging limitations. This project aims to solve the above challenges by enhancing Siloam Vision's iCam-OCT by integrating Ultra-Widefield Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (UWF-OCTA), artificial intelligence-driven pathology recognition, and field validation to improve early disease detection and military operational readiness.UWF-OCTA Integration – We will develop and optimize UWF-OCTA software for the iCam-OCT. This will facilitate early disease detection, quantification, and oculomics applications, improving ocular health assessments in military settings.AI-Driven Visualization & Telemedicine – We will create automated AI-based software to detect and highlight abnormal retinal pathology on UWF-OCTA scans. This enhancement will allow non-expert personnel to identify ocular disease at the point of care and facilitate seamless telemedical consultations with military eye care providers.Field Validation & Human Factors Study – The enhanced system will undergo rigorous testing and validation with military personnel. At the conclusion of this Phase II effort, we will deliver a fully operational UWF-OCTA system at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7-8, equipped with a DAF-optimized user interface and integrated AI diagnostic assistance. It will enable non-retinal experts to take diagnosis-accurate retinal images that will allow CONUS Vitreoretinal Specialists to precisely diagnose the ailment, and prescribe the proper care to prevent permanent damage.