Deep Optics uses tech to help old folks see better, raises $4m series A

Presbyopia, a condition that diminishes the human eye’s ability to focus on near objects, impacts over a billion people globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Traditional solutions are to either wear reading glasses, specifically for close distances, or multifocal glasses, which can be used for both near and far viewing. The problem is that such glasses offer a narrow field of view and can also cause optical distortions. To see properly, users often have to tilt their heads instead of just moving their eyes, causing irritability, headaches, and overall discomfort.

Israel-based Deep Optics is trying to provide an alternative to the common multifocal glasses available today. The startup announced today that it has raised US$4 million in a series A round to help bring its vision to the mainstream. The round was led by strategic investor Essilor and Taiwan-based Atomic 14 Ventures. The startup has raised US$6 million in total capital so far, including previous rounds.

What’s the secret?

How Deep Optics works is pretty impressive. Two optical sensors analyze the distance between the eyes and the object they’re trying to focus on. The information is sent to an in-built processing unit which communicates with the lens, made of liquid crystal, to dynamically change their focus. The lens constantly adjust the active prescription based on user needs and the distance at which they’re looking. There’s no distortion or blind spots.

“The human eye has a natural focusing ability that degrades with age. Current multifocal glasses compensate for this degradation, but they cannot offer adaptable correction power management. The dynamic solution we’re developing is actually similar to the human focusing mechanism, and so, in addition to its superior lens function, it should be even easier to get used to,” explained Yariv Haddad, co-founder and CEO of Deep Optics, in an emailed statement.

Yariv claims their lens technology is also applicable for both augmented reality and virtual reality devices.

“Both these devices are displaying (or projecting) images of virtual objects and simulating a depth experience, mostly by the technique of stereoscopic 3D (like in 3D movies in cinema or 3DTV),” he told Tech in Asia. “In order for the experience to be more immersive and convincing, this focus depth should be matched constantly and dynamically to the depth of the virtual object. To do this, these systems would require some adaptive/dynamic lens that can perform this change as directed by the system. This is where Deep Optics adaptive lens fits in.”

The glasses are still a couple of years away from mass-market production but Yariv says they’ll be priced similarly to current progressive glasses and fit all prescriptions. The funding will be used specifically to accelerate development of the current lens and build a working prototype. There are also plans to collaborate with AR/VR makers in order to integrate the lens into upcoming models. These could potentially reach the market before Deep Optics’ glasses.