CLEVELAND, June 5, 2024 – Eversight, a full-service eye and vision research partner, today announced a four-year partnership with LighTopTech, a pioneer in advanced optical imaging technology. The collaboration aims to improve state-of-the-art imaging modalities for eye tissues in both clinical and research settings.
As part of this partnership, Eversight will integrate LighTopTech's cutting-edge dual modality OCX™ system—combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) with optical coherence microscopy (OCM)—into its research and development initiatives. The advanced optical coherence technology offers unparalleled capabilities and has the potential to become a single imaging modality for detailed corneal tissue analysis.
"The OCX™ system represents a significant advancement in ocular imaging technology, and we are confident in its potential to improve clinical precision and support vision research," said Onkar B. Sawant, PhD, Vice President of Research & Development, Eversight. "We are pleased to collaborate with LighTopTech to innovate in the field of ophthalmic imaging and advance vision science to prevent, treat and cure blinding eye conditions.”
The integration of the state-of the-art OCX™ imaging system will enhance corneal tissue evaluations in Eversight’s eye bank operations, confirming that tissue processing meets surgeons' specifications for various cornea surgeries and detecting anomalies that may render the tissue unsuitable for transplantation. Eversight will provide data to LighTopTech to inform OCX™ software development that could also automate endothelial cell counting, a critical metric for eye banks, among other eye tissue measurements.
The partnership is bolstered by a generous grant from the Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness, underscoring the critical support for innovative research in eye care. The funding is instrumental in the acquisition and implementation of the OCX system, advancing their shared vision of one day seeing a world without blindness.
“Generous support from the Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness enables Eversight to leverage LighTopTech’s cutting-edge technology to pioneer new methods in corneal imaging, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide,” said Dr. Cristina Canavesi, PhD, Co-founder and President of LighTopTech. “The impact of their support will be felt by future generations of researchers and eye bankers.”
The Eversight Research & Development team will also utilize the high-resolution dual-mode OCX™ system to capture detailed images of both the anterior (cornea and surrounding tissues) and posterior segments (neurosensory back portion) of the eye. This will enable Eversight to provide diagnostic imaging for researchers studying retinal diseases and help better understand retinal disease to one day help patients with retinal vision loss.
Dr. Canavesi will present on "Dual-Modality Imaging for Cellular Volumetric Evaluation of Donor Corneal and Retinal Tissues" at the 2024 Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Annual Meeting in Kansas City this week. The presentation will highlight the technological advancements and the anticipated impact of enhanced imaging modalities and software on the field of eye and vision research resulting from a collaboration between Eversight and LighTopTech.
For more information about Eversight Research & Development, visit eversightvision.org/research.
About Eversight
Eversight is a nonprofit organization with a mission to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research. The Eversight network is responsible for recovering, evaluating and providing human eye tissue for transplantation; supporting research into the causes and cures of blinding eye conditions; promoting donation awareness through public and professional education; and providing humanitarian aid to people around the world in need of corneal transplantation. Operating in Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and South Korea, Eversight works in collaboration with surgeons, researchers, academic medical centers and eye banks across the United States and abroad. For more information, visit eversightvision.org.
About LighTopTech
For over a decade, LighTopTech has been at the forefront of commercializing advanced imaging technology, focusing on addressing critical eye applications. Our expertise spans across optical system design, machine learning, and intelligent system processing. By integrating these core competencies, we develop innovative solutions that enhance eye care and medical imaging, ensuring high precision and reliability in every application. Our commitment to cutting-edge research and development positions us as a leader in the industry, dedicated to improving visual health through technological excellence. For more information, visit lightoptech.com.
Media Contact
Mackenzie Mohr
Communications Director, Eversight
(517) 204-1413
