Zeiss will spotlight a range of research and technology collaborations at the 2026 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting, highlighting advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), imaging, and surgical innovation for retinal disease management.

A key focus will be Zeiss’s ongoing strategic partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, which will feature new research exploring retinal non-perfusion (RNP) in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging as a potential early biomarker for retinal vascular diseases. The study addresses longstanding challenges in human annotation of RNP by introducing a standardized, scalable protocol designed to reduce bias and improve consistency. The resulting dataset is expected to support ground-truth development and enable more robust AI applications.

The findings will be presented during the “AI in Retina II” poster session on Tuesday, May 5, from 1:15 to 3:00 pm MT, where researchers will discuss how this approach could represent a paradigm shift in RNP qualification for clinical trials and future clinical practice.

Zeiss will also highlight its collaboration with Duke University, showcasing advancements in intraoperative imaging through the integration of 4D optical coherence tomography (OCT) into the Zeiss ARTEVO 800 surgical microscope. Building on more than three decades of OCT innovation, Zeiss is now enabling surgeons to access real-time, volumetric imaging during procedures, offering live 3D cross-sectional views that can guide surgical decision-making.

Duke University will present findings from recent human studies using the integrated 4D OCT technology for treating retinal and corneal diseases. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, from 3:30 to 3:45 pm MT during a paper session in Room Mile High 2C/3C.

In addition to research presentations, Zeiss will host a series of expert-led discussions at booth #7015, focusing on how AI and digital technologies are advancing glaucoma and retinal disease management. Sessions include a talk on AI-driven glaucoma progression by Jithin Yohannan, MD, MPH, on Sunday, May 3, from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. MDT, and a presentation by Phil Rosenfeld, MD, PhD, on OCTA algorithms for detecting retinal and optic disc changes associated with intravitreal pegcetacoplan therapy, scheduled for 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. MDT the same day.

Zeiss’s Head of Product Management for Chronic Diseases, Bob Gibson, will speak at the Focus A-Eye meeting on Saturday, May 2. His presentation, part of the “lessons from Formula One” session, will explore how AI can be leveraged to enhance clinical workflows and improve efficiency in ophthalmic care.

More information about Zeiss’s presence at ARVO is available on the company’s website.