A Saudi health technology startup is taking its mission to new frontiers, announcing a pioneering partnership to conduct ophthalmic research in space. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Oculi co-founders Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa and Naif Al-Obaidallah revealed a collaboration with Cornell University to study the eye microbiome beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
A Mission Beyond Earth
The ambitious initiative aims to tackle the lack of effective treatments for many eye diseases by exploring how the eye’s microbiome mutates in the unique conditions of space. The project is a fully Saudi-led endeavor, backed by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Saudi Space Agency.
Dr. Al-Hazzaa, an ophthalmologist with 35 years of experience, explained the motivation behind the project. “Why don’t we take samples of the eye microbiome, send them to space, and see how they mutate?” she said. “Whatever solutions we find in space will help astronauts — and can also help patients here on Earth.”
Findings from the mission will be tested in simulation labs within the Kingdom before being deployed in orbit. “We evaluated many institutions and found Cornell to be at the forefront of space technology and microbiome research,” Al-Hazzaa added.
AI Augmenting Healthcare on the Ground
While its ambitions are now extraterrestrial, Oculi’s core work is firmly rooted in leveraging AI to solve critical healthcare challenges on Earth. Its SAARIA system automates retinal image analysis, enabling non-specialists to detect eye diseases with precision. The company is also developing tools to streamline diagnostics in mammography.
“It’s going to augment physicians, not replace them,” Al-Hazzaa clarified. “We can now deliver patients who need surgery on a silver platter.”
This technology is already having a significant impact. By focusing on diabetes-related eye disease, the startup has helped save the sight of more than 40,000 underserved patients free of charge. Oculi is now expanding into predictive healthcare, aiming to use retinal scans to forecast conditions like hypertension, stroke, and Alzheimer’s, supported by a recent grant from the Research Development Innovation Authority (RDIA).
Powering a National Vision
Co-founder Naif Al-Obaidallah noted the rapid evolution of Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem, which has been crucial for Oculi’s growth despite the regulatory and ethical complexities of healthtech.
“A few years ago, there were very few startups. Now thousands are incubated across ministries, and Saudi Arabia leads the region in investment and unicorn creation,” he said.
Dr. Al-Hazzaa’s journey also reflects the Kingdom’s broader transformation, particularly in empowering women in technology. “People thought I was crazy in the beginning,” she recalled. “Today, as a Saudi woman in tech, I can say we’ve surpassed the G20 and Silicon Valley in female involvement, with 36 percent of our team being women.”
Al-Obaidallah concluded, “We’re making AI healthcare accessible for everyone. Healthcare is not a privilege; it’s a right.”
About Oculi
Oculi is a Saudi-based health technology company pioneering the use of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology and predictive medicine. Founded by Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa and Naif Al-Obaidallah, the company develops advanced diagnostic tools to make specialized medical care more accessible and efficient, with a mission to prevent disease and improve patient outcomes globally.
Source: meatechwatch
