At LEAP 26 in Riyadh, Saudi health technology company Sdm presented an artificial intelligence platform that is reshaping early detection of diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Salwa Al-Hazza, chief executive officer and co-founder of Sdm, described how the solution known as Saria has screened more than 70,000 diabetic patients across the Kingdom. The announcement highlighted a shift from medical expertise into a regulated digital health tool with potential beyond Saudi borders.
Origins in Clinical Need
The initiative began with deep experience in ophthalmology and a clear clinical gap in managing diabetes-related vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and can lead to blindness when it is not diagnosed and treated early. Sdm was developed to translate specialist knowledge into a scalable system that supports faster and more consistent retinal image analysis.
How Saria Supports Eye Screening
Saria uses artificial intelligence to examine retinal images and detect early indicators of diabetic retinopathy. The platform can analyze an eye image in about one minute, reducing the time needed for initial screening compared with conventional workflows. By automating this step, it helps clinicians identify patients who require urgent referral and treatment before avoidable vision loss occurs.
Screening More Than 70,000 Patients
The company reported that Saria has already been used to screen more than 70,000 diabetic patients in various regions of Saudi Arabia. This deployment reflects a practical effort to expand access to early detection, especially in areas where retinal specialists are limited. The technology supports retinal imaging and AI-based analysis to bring screening closer to patients and reduce dependence on scarce specialist availability.
Regulatory Approval After Six Years
After six years of development, Sdm secured approval from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority for its AI-powered platform as an authorized assistive tool. This regulatory milestone signals that the innovation has moved from experimentation to clinical application in the health care system. It also provides a foundation for credible adoption by health providers seeking validated digital screening solutions.
Expanding Access and Efficiency
The technology addresses a critical gap in diabetic eye care by enabling non-specialist settings to conduct preliminary screening. Patients can be photographed and analyzed quickly, which supports earlier intervention and more efficient use of specialist resources. Such efficiency is particularly important for national diabetes programs that need to monitor large populations while maintaining quality and consistency.
A Patient Centered Approach
The Sdm platform places the patient at the core of the screening process by reducing waiting times and enabling earlier detection in routine care settings. Its design reflects a commitment to protecting vision before diabetic retinopathy reaches advanced stages. This practical focus helps health systems act sooner while maintaining a high standard of clinical decision support.
Global Ambitions for Saudi Health Innovation
Dr. Al-Hazza stated that Sdm is not limiting its vision to the domestic market and is preparing to expand its solutions internationally. The company draws on a Saudi experience that combines clinical knowledge with advanced technology to deliver practical and cost-effective health solutions. Its progress at LEAP 26 illustrates how locally developed artificial intelligence can address chronic disease complications that affect patients worldwide.
The presentation at LEAP 26 positioned Sdm as a compelling example of Saudi health care innovation rooted in medical expertise and enabled by artificial intelligence. With regulatory approval, significant real-world screening volume, and a clear international roadmap, the company is moving beyond early-stage validation. Its focus on diabetic retinopathy demonstrates how timely, AI-assisted detection can help protect vision and strengthen public health outcomes.