Russia to Invest $377,000 in Digital Platform and Eye Disease Treatments

A new initiative in Russia aims to combat eye disease through a combination of AI-driven diagnostics and preservative-free treatments.

A Russian medtech startup is investing nearly 30 million rubles (approximately $377,000) in the fight against eye disease. The Skolkovo-based company Visus Lab has partnered with Kazan Federal University to develop an AI-powered monitoring platform and a line of ophthalmic treatments.

The three-year collaboration includes multiple development phases, with a strong focus on digital diagnostics. The centerpiece of the project is a high-tech platform designed to detect early signs of cataracts and other eye conditions. Developers say that timely identification can help prevent vision loss and reduce long-term complications.

The project will also bring preservative-free eye drops, liposomal vitamins, and both antiseptic and restorative eyelid gels to market—pending regulatory approval.

This initiative builds on earlier research from Russian scientists, who created an AI system that analyzes retinal images with high precision. Using data from fundus cameras, the neural network evaluates the retina and its blood vessels to detect signs of disease. Unlike many systems that struggle with small capillaries, this one uses a highly sensitive optical sensor that allows for detailed analysis even at the microvascular level.