Help Us Bring Vision Innovation to SXSW—PanelPicker Community Voting Now Open  

The Global Innovation Center has two cutting-edge panel sessions running for official slots at SXSW 2026, and we need your votes to bring them to life. 

SXSW PanelPicker community voting is now open—please vote for one or both of our submissions by logging in or creating an account at SXSW.com and then clicking on the links below: 

Oculomics: New Word, Familiar Concept, the Future of Care
The eye has always been a window into the body. However, recent advancements in AI and imaging technologies are expanding the role the eyes play in preventative care. Today, startups are applying AI algorithms to retinal scans to detect neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and conduct cardiovascular risk and biological age assessments, augmenting the scope of care that can be delivered within an optometric setting. This session will spotlight the emerging field of oculomics, the study of the eye as a window into the body, and how it is transforming care. VOTE HERE 
 

Beyond Blood Biomarkers: How Eyes & Mouths Unlock Longevity 
The future of longevity isn't confined to the clinic—it's in places you already go: dental chairs and optometrist offices. By 2030, the non-invasive biomarker market will surpass $14B, driven by AI-powered retinal imaging revealing biological age and systemic decline, while saliva diagnostics track inflammation, glucose, and oral microbiome shifts linked to whole-body health. These scalable, accessible innovations are transforming everyday health encounters into real-time longevity windows, enabling earlier interventions and personalized prevention. VOTE HERE 

Your voice matters! Community voting is open until Sunday, August 24, at 11:59 PDT. Cast your vote today and help shape the conversation surrounding vision care, AI, and the everyday touchpoints transforming the future of healthcare.  

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