Vision loss is a serious concern for those with diabetes. By the time symptoms surface, it can be too late to halt the loss of sight. Alums of Johns Hopkins’ biomedical engineering graduate program are developing technology to detect this vision loss—called diabetic retinopathy—before patients notice any changes in their vision.

Initially developed by Abhishek Rege while completing a Ph.D. and postdoctoral work, the device takes a series of back-of-the-eye photographs in less than a second to check for changes in blood vessels, which can be brought on by diabetes and lead to blindness. A software algorithm then interprets the photos to measure blood flow. If it detects a reduction in blood flow between an initial photo and one obtained during a later appointment, the patient can be referred to an ophthalmologist.

Though doctors encourage patients with diabetes to have their eyes examined annually, only about half follow through. For this reason, Rege and fellow alum M. Jason Brooke are designing the technology for point-of-care locations, like endocrinology clinics, pharmacies and emergency rooms—places where eye care isn’t normally given but where people with diabetes may go. When someone visiting one of these locations indicates that he or she has diabetes, a clinician can suggest that his or her eyes be checked. 

Brooke says the imaging technology and software algorithms could eventually be adapted for other clinical applications, such as wound care and blood flow monitoring during surgery.

In 2012, Rege and Brooke co-founded Vasoptic Medical Inc. to commercialize the innovation. Since then, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures has helped the duo patent their technology, raise funds to continue their work and test the technology. Rege and Brooke aim to obtain FDA market clearance by 2018.