Lumetrics to Develop Handheld Eye Scanner

A pen-sized eye scanner could improve access to vision-related health care in the US and around the world, thanks to a grant issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to Lumetrics.

The medical technology company received $973,000 from the NIH’s National Eye Institute to develop the handheld digital instrument for retina inspection.

“The ability to provide comprehensive diagnostic eye care with a handheld device is truly groundbreaking and represents a huge step forward in improved health care access for previously underserved populations,” said Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who visited the company to announce the grant.

The camera’s development was led by Dr. Fillip Ignatovich, Lumetric’s chief technology officer, and Dr. David Kleinman, an academic retinal specialist at the Flaum Eye Institute, also in Rochester. It was made possible through a patent invented by Dr. Steven Feldon, director of the Flaum Eye Institute, and Dr. Geunyoung Yoon of the University of Rochester, both of whom will assist with the project.

For more information, visit: www.lumetrics.com