M. Francesca Cordeiro, MD, PhD, professor, UCL and Imperial College London, Western Eye Hospital London, shares details of the institute’s detection of apoptosing retinal cells (DARC) scan – which employs a new retinal biomarker. The DARC system, which will undergo further trials, could allow for earlier detection of retinal disease in patients, as at least 30% to 50% of ganglion cells may be lost before vision is damaged. This test could be used to hone clinical trial endpoints of ophthalmology drugs, but it also may be used to detect neurological disease such as Parkinson’s and dementia.