In Sight: Bascom Palmer Spinoff Celebrates 1 Million Eyes Tested
Summary
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute ophthalmologist Dr. Mohamed Abou Shousha’s wearable platform has now tested over one million eyes.
- The device is a portable, FDA-registered wearable that digitizes and automates multiple eye exams traditionally performed with bulky, manual equipment.
- The device leverages artificial intelligence and virtual reality to deliver a comprehensive suite of vision tests, including visual acuity, pupil exam, eye alignment, eye motility, visual field and color vision, all within a single headset.
Heru, the Miami-based leader in AI-powered vision diagnostics founded by Mohamed Abou Shousha, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, has reached a notable milestone. Its wearable platform has now tested over one million eyes.
Heru’s creation stems from Dr. Abou Shousha’s vision to democratize high-quality vision care by making it more accessible, accurate and efficient. Under his leadership, Heru has grown from a fledgling research project into a nationally recognized platform, trusted by a growing collective of eye care professionals.
“Surpassing 1 million eyes tested is a testament to the trust that eye care professionals have placed in Heru to help them care for their patients,” said Dr. Abou Shousha. “This milestone represents a million opportunities where patients received a higher standard of care, where doctors were empowered with immediate, objective data and where vision-threatening conditions may have been detected earlier.”
How Does the Heru Eye Testing Device Work?
Heru’s device is a portable, FDA-registered wearable that digitizes and automates multiple eye exams traditionally performed with bulky, manual equipment. At its core, Heru leverages artificial intelligence and virtual reality to deliver a comprehensive suite of vision tests, including visual acuity, pupil exam, eye alignment, eye motility, visual field and color vision, all within a single headset.
The process is simple and patient-friendly:
• Wearable platform: Patients don the lightweight headset, designed for comfort and accessibility in any clinical setting.
• Automated testing: The device guides patients through a series of standardized tests using interactive visual stimuli. AI algorithms adapt the testing sequence in real time, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Immediate results: Clinicians receive instant, objective data on the patient’s visual function, displayed on a digital dashboard for rapid interpretation and integration into the patient’s medical record.
• Efficiency and accessibility: By consolidating multiple exams into one device, Heru eliminates the need for several pieces of legacy equipment, streamlining workflow and making advanced diagnostics available in clinics, community health centers and remote locations.
Clinical Validation: Data Supporting Heru’s Accuracy
Heru’s credibility is deeply rooted in its origins and rigorous clinical validation at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the #1 ranked eye hospital in the nation. A decade of research and testing at Bascom Palmer has ensured that Heru’s platform meets the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.
• FDA registration and patents: Heru’s device is FDA-registered and backed by 74 patents, reflecting its innovative approach and commitment to safety and efficacy.
• Clinical validation: The platform has been clinically validated to replace several legacy diagnostic devices, demonstrating equivalent or superior accuracy in detecting vision-threatening conditions. This validation has been critical to Heru’s widespread acceptance and rapid commercial traction.
• Adoption by leading providers: The milestone of 1 million eyes tested is a testament to the trust that eye care professionals have placed in Heru, relying on its objective data to empower clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
“At Bascom Palmer, our goal is to constantly advance the paradigm of care for patients everywhere,” said Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., chair of Bascom Palmer. “Heru is a direct result of this commitment, transforming a decade of dedicated research in artificial intelligence and virtual reality into a practical tool that is now elevating clinical care on a national scale. Surpassing one million eyes tested demonstrates that the future we envisioned—one that is more efficient, accessible, and data-driven—is now a reality.”
For Bascom Palmer, the success of Heru is a point of pride, reflecting the institution’s commitment to research, innovation and patient-centered care.
Tags: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Dr. Eduardo Alfonso, Dr. Mohamed Abou Shousha, eye diseases, vision impairment