“We give ‘super vision’ to people who otherwise have great difficulty seeing … we augment reality so we can optimize every little last bit of functioning sight they have,” says Mr. Mathers about eSight’s technology, a lightweight, sunglasses-like device with a built-in video camera and display screens instead of lenses.
The product – currently undergoing patient trials and expected to make its commercial debut in fall 2010 – incorporates a personal processor that transmits the full-motion video captured with the camera to the display screens in real time.
It also has features such as gaze-tracking technology and the ability to alter the colour map of whatever a user is looking at if, for instance, they can’t see in blues and oranges but have fewer problems with purples and greens.
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Mr. Mathers says the device is receiving a ton of support from the medical community as well as people suffering from diseases such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, neither or which can be treated by surgery or drugs.
“We get regular inquiries about the product, people volunteering for patient testing, and lots who want to purchase the product when it’s available,” he says.
“We want this to be a device that people can wear all the time to help with the activities of daily living, so they can go out on the back porch and see a flower blooming for the first time, or see their grandchildren’s faces, or watch TV on them.”
Part of the appeal of eSight’s offering is there isn’t really anything like it on the market – the closest thing you can find is a heavy head-worn magnifier that has a large optical zoom camera, but none of eSight’s competitors have an integrated computing element, says Mr. Mathers.
As such, eSight has already started building ties with low-vision clinics throughout North America, with Mr. Mathers noting that the company is set to capitalize on the market for low-vision assistive devices, that’s worth $300 million today.
“(The support received) has been astounding as losing vision is one of the most feared diseases. People have even – unsolicited – sent us large cheques to make sure we don’t run out of money, though of course we returned those.” - Chairman Dan Mathers
“There are 22 million people in North America who have eye issues that surgery and drugs can’t correct,” he adds. “We’re building a very strong business, doing something that’s a very, very good cause, and improving the quality of life for these people.”
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Year founded: 2007
Local head count: 7
Funding received to date: $3.5 million
Product: Wearable low-vision device
