Eyeonic is an Australian health-tech company that has developed the world’s first AI-powered, cross-platform visual field test for glaucoma. Unlike traditional perimetry—which requires bulky, expensive bowl-shaped machines in a clinic—Eyeonic’s software runs on standard computers and tablets. It uses the device’s webcam and AI to track the patient’s head position, ensuring clinical-grade accuracy at home or in remote settings. This effectively “democratizes” vision testing, allowing for high-frequency monitoring to detect “fast progressors” (patients rapidly losing sight) much earlier than the standard bi-annual clinic visit.
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Core Technology: Online Circular Contrast Perimetry (OCCP)
- Hardware Independence: Works on any internet-connected computer or tablet with a screen size of at least 13 inches (laptop/desktop) or 10 inches (tablet).
- AI Head Tracking: The software uses the webcam and facial recognition AI to monitor the patient’s head position and distance from the screen in real-time. If the patient moves too close or too far, the test pauses automatically.
- Cloud-Based: Results are instantly uploaded to a cloud portal where clinicians can review standard visual field maps (24-2, 30-2, 10-2 protocols) and progression analysis.
Regulatory & Clinical Status
Eyeonic has moved beyond the “wellness” app category to become a recognized medical device:
- Australia: TGA Approved (Class IIb Medical Device, ARTG ID 465431).
- UK/Europe: UKCA and CE marked.
- Validation: Multiple peer-reviewed studies (published in journals like Ophthalmology Glaucoma and Translational Vision Science & Technology) have shown diagnostic performance comparable to the industry-standard Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA).
Company Profile
- Founder: Associate Professor Simon Skalicky (Glaucoma Sub-specialist & Ophthalmologist based in Melbourne).
- Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia.
- Funding: Raised approx. $2.6M AUD in Seed funding (Aug 2024).
- Key Investors: Haines Consulting Group, Martin Goodrich.
Key Use Cases
- Use Case Description
- Home Monitoring: Glaucoma patients test at home between visits. This high-frequency data helps doctors detect rapid vision loss months earlier than usual.
- Remote Outreach: Used in global health initiatives (e.g., Vietnam, Africa) to screen populations where transporting heavy medical machinery is impossible.
- Clinic Efficiency: Practices can run visual field tests in waiting rooms using spare laptops rather than purchasing $30,000+ dedicated machines.
Why It Matters
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting over 80 million people. It is often called the “silent thief of sight” because vision loss is gradual. The current standard of care (visiting a specialist once or twice a year) often misses rapid progression until it is too late. Eyeonic allows for scalable, frequent testing that can save sight by catching these changes early.