Advancing AI in Retinal Imaging: Hrvoje Bogunović Receives Xtreme Research Award

Research on data-driven analysis of OCT imaging is shaping new approaches to understanding retinal disease

Heidelberg, Germany, March 25, 2026 – The growing use of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology is changing how retinal imaging data is interpreted in clinical practice. As imaging technologies generate increasingly detailed and complex datasets, new methods are needed to translate this information into clinically useful insights.

Ass.-Prof. Dr. Hrvoje Bogunović, Director of the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Retina at the Medical University of Vienna, focuses on developing such methods. His work centers on analyzing retinal imaging data, particularly optical coherence tomography (OCT), to identify disease-related patterns, identify new quantifiable biomarkers, and better understand how retinal conditions develop over time.

Heidelberg Engineering has recognized these contributions by awarding Dr. Bogunović the 2026 Xtreme Research Award. The award honors emerging scientists whose work advances ophthalmic imaging and contributes to a deeper understanding of eye-related pathologies. It reinforces the company’s commitment to driving innovation in ophthalmology through close collaboration with the scientific community.

Ass.-Prof. Dr. Hrvoje Bogunović, Director of the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Retina
Foto Credit: MedUni Wien

“What sets Dr. Bogunović’s work apart is its relentless focus on real-world clinical challenges. Rather than advancing AI for its own sake, his research delivers solutions that work with real-world data and directly support clinical decision-making – making it truly deserving of the recognition with the Xtreme Research Award,” said Dr. Sebastian Rausch, Clinical Development Manager and co-leader of the ZinserLab at Heidelberg Engineering.

“By analyzing large collections of high-quality OCT scans over time, AI can detect prognostic patterns that may be too subtle or too complex for human experts to recognize. Eventually, that can help us discover new imaging biomarkers, better understand disease progression, and ultimately improve our ability to predict what may happen next for a patient”, Dr. Hrvoje Bogunović added.

As the field continues to evolve, combining advanced imaging with data analysis is expected to play a larger role in ophthalmology, supporting more consistent diagnostics and a better understanding of disease progression.