New Approach to Detecting Eye Disease

The study will deploy Zilia’s non-invasive ocular oximetry platform to directly measure oxygen saturation in patients with Non-Arteritic and Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION and AION) and retinal vasculitis—both recognized as ischemic diseases.

“Current diagnostic methods mainly detect structural damage after it has occurred,” said Dr. Edmund Tsui, Associate Professor-in-Residence of Ophthalmology at UCLA’s Stein Eye Institute and the study’s principal investigator. “By monitoring oxygen levels in real time, we hope to identify metabolic changes before permanent damage sets in—potentially opening a window for earlier intervention.”

Dr. Tsui will be joined by Dr. Laura Bonelli and Dr. Anthony Arnold, distinguished neuro-ophthalmology experts at UCLA Stein Eye Institute, whose expertise will further advance this study’s potential to uncover novel metabolic indicators.

Beyond Traditional Imaging

While conventional imaging captures anatomical changes, Zilia’s technology measures functional biomarkers through a proprietary blend of imaging and spectroscopy.
“The eye provides a unique window into vascular and metabolic health,” noted Dr. Patrick Sauvageau, optometrist, CEO, and co-founder of Zilia. “Our platform harnesses this opportunity to deliver crucial data that, until now, has been unavailable—potentially changing how vision-threatening diseases are managed.”

Initial findings from this research are expected in early 2026. The implications of these results could extend beyond ischemic optic neuropathy and retinal vasculitis to the diagnosis and management of other retinal and optic nerve disorders.

About Zilia

Zilia is a health technology company developing a groundbreaking platform to non-invasively measure biomarkers in the eye, with an initial focus on ocular oximetry. By integrating advanced photonics and artificial intelligence, Zilia’s first-of-kind technology is intended to leverage the eye’s optical properties and its direct connections to the vascular system and the brain, capturing critical information on ocular and overall health.

For Further Information

Zilia: https://ziliahealth.com/