Alcon made a stealth move that could shake up ophthalmic imaging by scooping up Cylite and its HP-OCT technology. Here’s why we all should be paying attention.
In a move that has largely flown under the radar, Alcon (Geneva, Switzerland) acquired Australian company Cylite and its Hyperparallel Optical Coherence Tomography™ (HP-OCT) technology.
While this represents a significant development in ophthalmic imaging, it has yet to generate widespread discussion within the industry.
Cylite briefly acknowledged the takeover in a LinkedIn post and on its website, but formal statements have been minimal. Notably, Cylite’s website has been updated to confirm its new ownership under Alcon, with previous product details removed.
Cylite announces the news on its LinkedIn page.
Despite the lack of fanfare, this deal marks a noteworthy expansion of Alcon’s technology portfolio.
“We are excited about the potential of this technology in whole-eye OCT imaging and measurement diagnostics, and look forward to providing updates in the future on how we are working together to integrate this innovation into our robust eye care portfolio,” Alcon said in a statement to Media MICE.
The power of HP-OCT
Cylite’s HP-OCT could represent a significant leap in optical coherence tomography technology.
Unlike conventional OCT systems, which scan the eye using a single beam or a small number of beams sequentially, HP-OCT utilizes a 2D grid of 1,008 parallel beamlets to capture high-speed, volumetric images of both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.
The technology allows for motion artifact-free imaging, making it especially useful for applications requiring precise biometry, such as contact lens fitting, orthokeratology and surgical planning for cataract and refractive procedures.
A 2023 study published in Biomedical Optics Express demonstrated HP-OCT’s ability to generate high-resolution 3D anterior segment images, measure corneal power and curvature with exceptional accuracy, and capture retinal volumes with the same 11.2 mm Nyquist range as its anterior imaging mode.1
The study also highlighted its potential in scleral lens fitting and whole-eye imaging, positioning it as a comprehensive diagnostic tool for both anterior and posterior segment assessments.1
The key to PS-OCT biomarkers?
While the clinical applications of HP-OCT are already impressive, another study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science suggests an even more intriguing possibility. HP-OCT may serve as a foundation for polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT).
This emerging technology, which no company has yet fully commercialized, has the potential to reveal detailed biomechanical properties of the eye, such as corneal birefringence and early keratoconus indicators.2
The study demonstrated that, with a simple optical modification, HP-OCT could achieve polarization sensitivity without requiring polarization-diverse detection. If Alcon aims to leverage this capability, it could give the company a head start in developing a groundbreaking imaging modality with applications in diagnosing corneal diseases, tracking structural changes in glaucoma and improving surgical outcomes.2
With its ability to capture detailed volumetric imaging at high speed and with remarkable precision, HP-OCT could be a game-changer in ophthalmic imaging.
Whether Alcon integrates it into existing platforms or develops new applications, this acquisition could be the foundation for a major shift in ophthalmic imaging.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include and reflect comments from Alcon.
References
- Frisken S, Anderson T, Segref A, et al. Anterior and posterior imaging with hyperparallel OCT. Biomedical Optics Express. 2023;14(6):2678-2688.
- Anderson T, Li Q, Watterson A, et al. Polarization sensitive OCT with hyperparallel OCT. IOVS. 2023;64(9):PP007.
