SXSW 2024 Features Vision Trends Transforming Health Care

VSP Vision’s Global Innovation Center took the stage at SXSW 2024, the world’s largest innovation conference, to share how technology-driven developments in vision care and eyewear are transforming the healthcare industry.  

The panel, which was selected by the SXSW community for the 2024 program, featured Ruth Yomtoubian, head of the Global Innovation Center, Eliav Shaked, co-founder and CEO of AI-enabled eyecare startup RetiSpec, and Christen Jaffe, Healthcare Strategy Manager at Meta. The discussion was moderated by Debbie Millman, host of the acclaimed Design Matters podcast. 

Together, this diverse set of industry leaders spotlighted how shifting forces, from AI-enabled diagnostics to augmented and mixed reality, are shaping the future of what’s possible in healthcare.

[VIEW THE SXSW 2024 RECAP VIDEO HERE] 

Here are three key insights from ‘Future Eye: 10 Vision Trends Transforming Healthcare.’ 

The Eye Unlocked  

The eye is a window into overall health and wellness and advancements in artificial intelligence have expanded what can be detected during an eye exam. One innovator in space, RetiSpec, uses advanced AI for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, through a simple retinal scan. 

Panelists discussed how these optical advancements can, in turn, scale access to general care. 

“Everyone goes to see their optometrist, so this is providing a more equitable solution for the wider population,” Shaked said. “This is the lowest barrier to healthcare systems all over the world; it's something that’s accessible at every corner. Early detection can really help to create more efficient health care systems.” 

Smart Eyewear’s Evolution 

Smart glasses and other wearable tech ushered in the concept of the Quantified Self, or the self-tracking, measurement, and activation of personal health and behavioral information.  

Panelists dove into how new form factors and technologies within smart eyewear, such as AI-enabled sensors, are providing individuals with even more timely and meaningful personal data. These innovations are just beginning to scratch the surface on how smart eyewear can enable users to be and stay healthy. 

"Smart glasses are in a better position today to help people take control of their health because you don't have to pull out your phone and interpret the data; it's much more seamless," added Yaffe. "In the future, we also expect to see more display on glasses, which will up-level what its capable. Today, you have AI in your glasses and it can help you navigate the world with a lot more context, so we're at the beginning of what's possible." 

Emerging Tech Tackles Low Vision 

Advancements in augmented, virtual, and mixed reality have also triggered a boom in the assistive technology space, with new devices entering the marketplace to take low vision and blindness head on.   

These innovations are no longer operating on the fringes; many assistive technologies, like text-to-speech and closed captioning, are often on-ramps to wider market adoption.  

“From a high-level, this is no longer a niche. The startups we have been meeting in the last three or four years have a larger vision than just low vision,” Yomtoubian said. “This is the on-ramp. The startups know that if they can solve a problem for the low-vision audience then they’re solving it for everyone. This is beginning with one core group and applying the principles of inclusive design and universal design.” 

[Listen to the full panel recording here] 

To learn more about the 10 vision trends transforming healthcare, download the “Future Eye” panel companion piece now. 

For more vision innovation news and updates, check out the Global Innovation Center's LinkedIn page.