BETHESDA, Md.—RightEye announced that it has built an extensive database that is being used by major research and health institutions to examine the eye-brain connection and detect the early onset of neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease. The database was built using more than one billion data points from over 100,000 patient tests conducted with RightEye’s eye-tracking system. The anonymized data, which RightEye expects to exceed two billion data points by year end, is providing researchers with a new and deeper understanding of early indicators for neurological issues, which are anticipated to help in the development of new treatment options and interventions, the company said.

Institutions that have used RightEye’s database include the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, Richmond Veteran Affairs Medical Center, University of Florida, Emory University, Duke University and many others.

To build the comprehensive eye-tracking dataset, RightEye’s EyeQ tests incorporate more than 650 unique metrics that capture extremely precise information on patients’ eye movements including eye alignment and teaming, object tracking, depth perception and dynamic visual acuity. These metrics provide what RightEye described as “an unprecedented level of granularity in identifying vision-related impairment and opportunities to strengthen performance-related aspects of vision.”

As the system collects more data, machine learning algorithms provide insightful findings for both well-known and underrepresented conditions not previously associated with vision.

“We have compelling data that eye tracking can be used to reliably detect neurological dysfunction across multiple domains. The output from the RightEye system represents an evolutionary leap in eye tracking research. Large studies, epidemiological research and other protocols that were once thought to be incredibly burdensome and logistically impossible have suddenly become easy to conduct using RightEye,” said George Gitchel, PhD, director of clinical research at the Southeast Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center (PADRECC), at the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The dataset is also providing insights into athletic performance that may be utilized in training athletes and even scouting, attracting Duke University for research in this area, RightEye said.

“Our ability to help science and medicine understand how the anatomy of the eye is linked to the brain opens up an entirely new world for providing better treatments to patients suffering from a host of health issues,” said Dr. Melissa Hunfalvay, RightEye’s Chief Science Officer. “We are just beginning to touch the surface of this new frontier. As our system continues to get smarter with more data, we will continue to contribute more valuable insights on what the eyes indicate about our overall health.”