“Vision loss is irreversible, like spilled water. However, it is preventable.”
Ovitz into Market for Portable, Low-Cost Eye Diagnostic Devices Rather
than Focusing on Expensive Equipment
Ovitz has developed a compact, portable eye diagnostic device for people who are unable to have
their eyes examined on a regular basis.
CEO Felix Kim studied at the a Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester, in the United States.
At first, he was interested in the development of premium eye diagnostic equipment, but changed
his mind after participating in a public eye care program for vulnerable groups.
In countries with low population densities, such as the United States, and developing countries that
lack hospitals, many people have insufficient access to optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Kim said, “When I went to urban outskirts areas to participate in the public eye care program,
I found that most of the residents there are black or elderly people. I felt sorry for them, because
even though they didn’t need tests or diagnoses requiring high-end equipment, they had too few
opportunities to have their vision tested and eyes checked.” He added, “It was difficult to test the
vision and eye health of these people using the existing eye diagnostic device, so I started developing
a more portable and convenient device.”
Kim entered the portable eye diagnostic device business after winning a prize for a project that he
had started as a part of his job and later succeeded in attracting investment to develop his idea.
Ovitz was incorporated in the United States in November 2013 and established a Korean subsidiary
in 2015. Kim began building his business by recruiting scientists, optical engineers, and business
people with expertise in medical devices and experience in pharmaceutical companies.
He said, “I did research at an optical research institute, but I found it quite difficult for a college
student like myself to work alone and make progress in the highly specialized fields of hardware,
high-precision optics, and medical devices.” He went onto add, “Rather than trying to acquire the
necessary knowledge in such fields myself, I set out to find and recruit top experts in these fields to
join my team.”
Compact, Fast, Portable Eye Diagnostic Device
Ovitz’s eye diagnostic device is capable of testing and diagnosing large numbers of people more
quickly and cheaply than other much more expensive devices. Much smaller than the eye diagnostic
instruments used in typical ophthalmology clinics and optical shops, the company’s device is about
one-tenth the size of an adult’s fist, and it can measure the various high-order aberration information
required for LASIK and LASEK surgery and detect vision problems, including myopia and astigmatism.
The device is simple and easy to use for the elderly, handicapped, and children. “A member of our team
who has a daughter with autism suddenly had the idea to test his daughter’s vision using our device.
He discovered that her eyesight was bad, so much so that she actually needed glasses,” Kim said.
“This shows just how beneficial our eye diagnostic device can be for people with disabilities or low
accessibility to eye care services.”
Having already completed four clinical trials, Ovitz’s portable eye diagnostic device is due to enter
production soon, with the company planning to start selling the product in the first quarter of this year.
Once its cloud service platform and mobile applications are complete, the company will begin focusing
on expanding its sales volume.
Kim said,“This year, we will work hard to make progress and increase sales while engaging in activities
with NGOs.” He went onto explain,“By accumulating a large volume of data on eye function and health
in the longterm, we will be able to offer blindness prevention solutions, which we will develop in cooperation
with NGOs.”
Substantial Legal and Patent Support from Born2Global
Since its inception, even prior to the establishment of its Korean subsidiary, Ovitz has received support
from the Born2Global Centre, especially legal consulting on how to attract greater investment and patent
consulting on matters such as patent applications.
Thanks to this support, the company has been able to overcome numerous challenges. Most of all, with
Born2Global’s patent consulting services and support, Ovitz was able to gain a competitive edge early on.
Kim said, “Patents are crucial to technology-based companies. Over the past two years, we have filed
numerous patent applications, resulting in one registered patent so far.” He also emphasized, “Supportedby
the expertise of Born2Global’s lawyers and patent attorneys, we wereable to concentrate on the essentials
of our business.”
Ovitz to Expand into Vietnam and Cambodia
Ovitz also offers assistance for people with poor eyesight in developing countries, providing them access
to eye tests and connecting them to the eye care service sand treatments they need. This year, it will launch
a tele medicine program with NGOs in Phnom Penh and SiemReap, in Cambodia, as well as in Vietnam.
Through these programs, Ovitz will sell its devices to its partner NGOs, check the vision and eye health of
underprivileged people remotely, and send the information collected to hospitals so that the people may
receive proper treatment.
In January last year, Ovitz, with the support of KOICA, provided telemedicine services in Bangladesh using
its eye diagnostic device. Locals used the device to test the vision of underprivileged people and sent the
information to hospitals for use in providing treatment.
Kim said,“Since under privileged people with poor access to eye care often do not know whether they need
glasses or have eye problems, we need to first educate them and then instruct them on howto access eye
care services and treatment.” He added,“Our goal is to go beyond simply providing aid and develop this
into a sustain able business.”
Large proportions of the populations of Vietnam and Cambodia have visual impairments, but many of them
do not wear glasses. Ovitz will work with several NGOs to study the social and economic impacts of blindness
and visual impairments in such countries. “Degradation of vision has a major negative impact on quality of life;
yet people tend to be unaware of its importance and impact,” said Kim.
“I think a lot of research needs to be done on, for example, how much learning efficiency would increase if
schoolchildren with poor eyesight indeveloping countries were given eyeglasses, how much productivity would
increase if glasses were given to workers with poor eyesight, and how much the traffic accident rate would decrease
if glasses were given to drivers with poor eyesight.”
Our member in this article
|
|
Description Embodying an Advanced Application of Wavefront Sensor in a Portable Autorefractor.
|
“Vision loss is irreversible, like spilled water. However, it is preventable.”
Ovitz into Market for Portable, Low-Cost Eye Diagnostic Devices Rather
than Focusing on Expensive Equipment
Ovitz has developed a compact, portable eye diagnostic device for people who are unable to have
their eyes examined on a regular basis.
CEO Felix Kim studied at the a Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester, in the United States.
At first, he was interested in the development of premium eye diagnostic equipment, but changed
his mind after participating in a public eye care program for vulnerable groups.
In countries with low population densities, such as the United States, and developing countries that
lack hospitals, many people have insufficient access to optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Kim said, “When I went to urban outskirts areas to participate in the public eye care program,
I found that most of the residents there are black or elderly people. I felt sorry for them, because
even though they didn’t need tests or diagnoses requiring high-end equipment, they had too few
opportunities to have their vision tested and eyes checked.” He added, “It was difficult to test the
vision and eye health of these people using the existing eye diagnostic device, so I started developing
a more portable and convenient device.”
Kim entered the portable eye diagnostic device business after winning a prize for a project that he
had started as a part of his job and later succeeded in attracting investment to develop his idea.
Ovitz was incorporated in the United States in November 2013 and established a Korean subsidiary
in 2015. Kim began building his business by recruiting scientists, optical engineers, and business
people with expertise in medical devices and experience in pharmaceutical companies.
He said, “I did research at an optical research institute, but I found it quite difficult for a college
student like myself to work alone and make progress in the highly specialized fields of hardware,
high-precision optics, and medical devices.” He went onto add, “Rather than trying to acquire the
necessary knowledge in such fields myself, I set out to find and recruit top experts in these fields to
join my team.”
Compact, Fast, Portable Eye Diagnostic Device
Ovitz’s eye diagnostic device is capable of testing and diagnosing large numbers of people more
quickly and cheaply than other much more expensive devices. Much smaller than the eye diagnostic
instruments used in typical ophthalmology clinics and optical shops, the company’s device is about
one-tenth the size of an adult’s fist, and it can measure the various high-order aberration information
required for LASIK and LASEK surgery and detect vision problems, including myopia and astigmatism.
The device is simple and easy to use for the elderly, handicapped, and children. “A member of our team
who has a daughter with autism suddenly had the idea to test his daughter’s vision using our device.
He discovered that her eyesight was bad, so much so that she actually needed glasses,” Kim said.
“This shows just how beneficial our eye diagnostic device can be for people with disabilities or low
accessibility to eye care services.”
Having already completed four clinical trials, Ovitz’s portable eye diagnostic device is due to enter
production soon, with the company planning to start selling the product in the first quarter of this year.
Once its cloud service platform and mobile applications are complete, the company will begin focusing
on expanding its sales volume.
Kim said,“This year, we will work hard to make progress and increase sales while engaging in activities
with NGOs.” He went onto explain,“By accumulating a large volume of data on eye function and health
in the longterm, we will be able to offer blindness prevention solutions, which we will develop in cooperation
with NGOs.”
Substantial Legal and Patent Support from Born2Global
Since its inception, even prior to the establishment of its Korean subsidiary, Ovitz has received support
from the Born2Global Centre, especially legal consulting on how to attract greater investment and patent
consulting on matters such as patent applications.
Thanks to this support, the company has been able to overcome numerous challenges. Most of all, with
Born2Global’s patent consulting services and support, Ovitz was able to gain a competitive edge early on.
Kim said, “Patents are crucial to technology-based companies. Over the past two years, we have filed
numerous patent applications, resulting in one registered patent so far.” He also emphasized, “Supportedby
the expertise of Born2Global’s lawyers and patent attorneys, we wereable to concentrate on the essentials
of our business.”
Ovitz to Expand into Vietnam and Cambodia
Ovitz also offers assistance for people with poor eyesight in developing countries, providing them access
to eye tests and connecting them to the eye care service sand treatments they need. This year, it will launch
a tele medicine program with NGOs in Phnom Penh and SiemReap, in Cambodia, as well as in Vietnam.
Through these programs, Ovitz will sell its devices to its partner NGOs, check the vision and eye health of
underprivileged people remotely, and send the information collected to hospitals so that the people may
receive proper treatment.
In January last year, Ovitz, with the support of KOICA, provided telemedicine services in Bangladesh using
its eye diagnostic device. Locals used the device to test the vision of underprivileged people and sent the
information to hospitals for use in providing treatment.
Kim said,“Since under privileged people with poor access to eye care often do not know whether they need
glasses or have eye problems, we need to first educate them and then instruct them on howto access eye
care services and treatment.” He added,“Our goal is to go beyond simply providing aid and develop this
into a sustain able business.”
Large proportions of the populations of Vietnam and Cambodia have visual impairments, but many of them
do not wear glasses. Ovitz will work with several NGOs to study the social and economic impacts of blindness
and visual impairments in such countries. “Degradation of vision has a major negative impact on quality of life;
yet people tend to be unaware of its importance and impact,” said Kim.
“I think a lot of research needs to be done on, for example, how much learning efficiency would increase if
schoolchildren with poor eyesight indeveloping countries were given eyeglasses, how much productivity would
increase if glasses were given to workers with poor eyesight, and how much the traffic accident rate would decrease
if glasses were given to drivers with poor eyesight.”
Our member in this article
|
|
Description Embodying an Advanced Application of Wavefront Sensor in a Portable Autorefractor.
|
“Vision loss is irreversible, like spilled water. However, it is preventable.”
Ovitz into Market for Portable, Low-Cost Eye Diagnostic Devices Rather
than Focusing on Expensive Equipment
Ovitz has developed a compact, portable eye diagnostic device for people who are unable to have
their eyes examined on a regular basis.
CEO Felix Kim studied at the a Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester, in the United States.
At first, he was interested in the development of premium eye diagnostic equipment, but changed
his mind after participating in a public eye care program for vulnerable groups.
In countries with low population densities, such as the United States, and developing countries that
lack hospitals, many people have insufficient access to optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Kim said, “When I went to urban outskirts areas to participate in the public eye care program,
I found that most of the residents there are black or elderly people. I felt sorry for them, because
even though they didn’t need tests or diagnoses requiring high-end equipment, they had too few
opportunities to have their vision tested and eyes checked.” He added, “It was difficult to test the
vision and eye health of these people using the existing eye diagnostic device, so I started developing
a more portable and convenient device.”
Kim entered the portable eye diagnostic device business after winning a prize for a project that he
had started as a part of his job and later succeeded in attracting investment to develop his idea.
Ovitz was incorporated in the United States in November 2013 and established a Korean subsidiary
in 2015. Kim began building his business by recruiting scientists, optical engineers, and business
people with expertise in medical devices and experience in pharmaceutical companies.
He said, “I did research at an optical research institute, but I found it quite difficult for a college
student like myself to work alone and make progress in the highly specialized fields of hardware,
high-precision optics, and medical devices.” He went onto add, “Rather than trying to acquire the
necessary knowledge in such fields myself, I set out to find and recruit top experts in these fields to
join my team.”
Compact, Fast, Portable Eye Diagnostic Device
Ovitz’s eye diagnostic device is capable of testing and diagnosing large numbers of people more
quickly and cheaply than other much more expensive devices. Much smaller than the eye diagnostic
instruments used in typical ophthalmology clinics and optical shops, the company’s device is about
one-tenth the size of an adult’s fist, and it can measure the various high-order aberration information
required for LASIK and LASEK surgery and detect vision problems, including myopia and astigmatism.
The device is simple and easy to use for the elderly, handicapped, and children. “A member of our team
who has a daughter with autism suddenly had the idea to test his daughter’s vision using our device.
He discovered that her eyesight was bad, so much so that she actually needed glasses,” Kim said.
“This shows just how beneficial our eye diagnostic device can be for people with disabilities or low
accessibility to eye care services.”
Having already completed four clinical trials, Ovitz’s portable eye diagnostic device is due to enter
production soon, with the company planning to start selling the product in the first quarter of this year.
Once its cloud service platform and mobile applications are complete, the company will begin focusing
on expanding its sales volume.
Kim said,“This year, we will work hard to make progress and increase sales while engaging in activities
with NGOs.” He went onto explain,“By accumulating a large volume of data on eye function and health
in the longterm, we will be able to offer blindness prevention solutions, which we will develop in cooperation
with NGOs.”
Substantial Legal and Patent Support from Born2Global
Since its inception, even prior to the establishment of its Korean subsidiary, Ovitz has received support
from the Born2Global Centre, especially legal consulting on how to attract greater investment and patent
consulting on matters such as patent applications.
Thanks to this support, the company has been able to overcome numerous challenges. Most of all, with
Born2Global’s patent consulting services and support, Ovitz was able to gain a competitive edge early on.
Kim said, “Patents are crucial to technology-based companies. Over the past two years, we have filed
numerous patent applications, resulting in one registered patent so far.” He also emphasized, “Supportedby
the expertise of Born2Global’s lawyers and patent attorneys, we wereable to concentrate on the essentials
of our business.”
Ovitz to Expand into Vietnam and Cambodia
Ovitz also offers assistance for people with poor eyesight in developing countries, providing them access
to eye tests and connecting them to the eye care service sand treatments they need. This year, it will launch
a tele medicine program with NGOs in Phnom Penh and SiemReap, in Cambodia, as well as in Vietnam.
Through these programs, Ovitz will sell its devices to its partner NGOs, check the vision and eye health of
underprivileged people remotely, and send the information collected to hospitals so that the people may
receive proper treatment.
In January last year, Ovitz, with the support of KOICA, provided telemedicine services in Bangladesh using
its eye diagnostic device. Locals used the device to test the vision of underprivileged people and sent the
information to hospitals for use in providing treatment.
Kim said,“Since under privileged people with poor access to eye care often do not know whether they need
glasses or have eye problems, we need to first educate them and then instruct them on howto access eye
care services and treatment.” He added,“Our goal is to go beyond simply providing aid and develop this
into a sustain able business.”
Large proportions of the populations of Vietnam and Cambodia have visual impairments, but many of them
do not wear glasses. Ovitz will work with several NGOs to study the social and economic impacts of blindness
and visual impairments in such countries. “Degradation of vision has a major negative impact on quality of life;
yet people tend to be unaware of its importance and impact,” said Kim.
“I think a lot of research needs to be done on, for example, how much learning efficiency would increase if
schoolchildren with poor eyesight indeveloping countries were given eyeglasses, how much productivity would
increase if glasses were given to workers with poor eyesight, and how much the traffic accident rate would decrease
if glasses were given to drivers with poor eyesight.”
Our member in this article
|
|
Description Embodying an Advanced Application of Wavefront Sensor in a Portable Autorefractor.
|
