Start-Ups with Vision
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
The high visibility of new laser technologies for vision correction or refractive surgery, a widely-publicized consumer market, has obscured the fact that there are even greater needs in the ophthalmic market; 13 million patients suffer from age-related macular degeneration, 4-6 million patients suffer from diabetic retinopathy, and 89 million Americans are troubled by "old vision" or presbyopia.
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NeuroVision Inc.
NeuroVision Inc. is looking behind the eye to correct vision problems. It is targeting the back of the brain with a Web-based, noninvasive, patient-specific treatment designed to re-wire the neural connections responsible for vision. The company will first target adult amblyopia, and then move on to presbyopia, myopia and other visual disorders.
Visual Pathways Inc.
Many of the leading causes of blindness are controllable, even curable, provided that they are detected at an early stage. But the time-consuming and uncomfortable nature of current screening techniques can be a deterrent. Visual Pathways Inc. is developing a series of precise, automatic vision care diagnostics aimed at streamlining the screening process to make it more comfortable for patients.
Quest Vision Inc.
Quest Vision has developed an intraocular lens that accommodates the way the natural lens does, that is, it changes shape for near or distance vision. Originally designed for cataract patients, the lens will also serve 89 million older Americans suffering from presbyopia.