In a Q&A, Jay Cormier explains why vision loss is such a large problem all over the world, and how his company seeks to improve the lives of those with retinol disorders using augmented reality.
Retinal disease affects millions of people globally, and it only increases with age. Cormier is president and CEO of Eyedaptic, which creates specialized eyewear that simulates natural vision for people with Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Jay Cormier
President and CEO, Eyedaptic
How much of a problem is low vision?
More than 250 million people are affected by retinal disease globally. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) alone impacts more than 170 million people. This has created a huge unmet need for patients searching for an easy to use and mobile visual aid solution. Compromised vision can have a detrimental impact on quality of life, as many people with retinal related conditions lose so much of their independence.
What solutions exist for those with low vision, retinal disorders or AMD?
There is currently no product on the market today that effectively addresses the challenges faced by those with low vision. Magnifiers have been used with finite utility, which only help in a limited number of tasks, for the user impacted by age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
What role does technology play in the Eyedaptic visual aid solution?
With vision disorders such as AMD, the central field of vision is missing, making the simplest of tasks a monumental challenge. Eyedaptic uses a proprietary Augment Reality (AR) software technology, embedded in specialized glasses to enhance and optimize the user’s remaining field of vision. Because it is worn as eyewear, it is mobile and does not limit movement and is useful across a wide variety of daily tasks. The results are immediate and from what users have testified, it has been life changing.