Riyadh: Saudi mother and son research eye diseases from Earth to space

A Saudi Arabian health technology startup is paving the way for revolutionary changes by using eye treatment and artificial intelligence to study eye diseases on Earth and in space. Salwi Al-Hazzaa has 35 years of experience in ophthalmology, while Nayef Al-Obeidallah, her son and co-founder, has a background in technology and investment. The two announced a partnership with Corniche University to study the eye microbiome in space during the World Economic Forum in Davos. (The microbiome is the collection of bacteria, fungi and other microbes present on the eye.) Al-Hazza said, “Being an eye specialist for 35 years, it has become clear that there are still some eye diseases for which there is no cure. We thought, why not take the microbiome to space and see how and what kind of changes it brings about there. Any solutions we find in space will benefit astronauts. But it could also benefit patients living on Earth.” The project, which is being implemented entirely under Saudi leadership, is supported by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Saudi Space Agency. So, the project resembles the laboratories here to test the results before sending them into orbit. This research work by both mother and son is the result of the innovation that comes after years of useful results from the use of healthcare and artificial intelligence. According to Al-Hazza, “This will provide immediate benefits to doctors and increase their work, not replace them. Now we will give doctors the same patients who need surgery.” Al-Obeidullah mentioned the initial challenges of healthcare startups, but also made special mention of the constantly changing and simplifying situation in Saudi Arabia. He said, “Incorporating artificial intelligence into healthcare startups is very difficult because of the different regulations because there are not only rules but also patient data and an ethical framework. We faced challenges, but every solution will be beneficial for everyone in the industry. If you go back a few years, there were very few startups. But today, Saudi Arabia is the number one investment destination in the region. According to Al-Hazzaa, what brought them together was passion. For us, this work is first and foremost a service, then a business. The solutions they provide are already reaching tens of thousands of patients in Saudi Arabia who do not have access to advanced treatment. The startup was recently awarded a grant from the Research Development Innovation Authority to further expand its work. The partnership with Cornell University and Saudi support for women in technology are a source of pride for the mother and son. Al-Hazzaa said, “Despite all the difficulties, people initially thought I was crazy. But today, as a Saudi woman in technology, I can say that we have surpassed the G20 and Silicon Valley in terms of female participation, as 36 percent of our team is women.” Al-Obeidallah said, “This achievement is a success of the digital revolution in the kingdom.” “We are bringing technology, artificial intelligence, and healthcare to everyone. Healthcare is no longer a privilege, but a right for everyone.”