Oculy

Around the world, the prevalence of diabetes is increasing at staggering rates. Over 422 million individuals are struggling with this condition and its comorbidities globally, and this number is projected to increase to 642 million by 2040. The burden of diabetes disproportionately affects low and middle-income countries (LMIC) because of major challenges in healthcare infrastructure. In India, there are over 70 million diabetic patients and this number is rapidly increasing.  One manifestation of diabetes is diabetic macular edema (DME), the fluid build-up in the back of the eye caused by the leakage of highly permeable retinal blood vessels characteristic of diabetic patients. This condition causes visual impairment in 31 million people worldwide. Many patients with DME are prescribed monthly intravitreal injections. However, while visiting Aravind Eye Hospital, the world’s largest high-volume eye care system, our team saw that on average patients were only receiving two injections per eye per year. Many patients are not able to receive the prescribed monthly injections because of the recurring cost of the medication and travel required. Thus, patients need an effective, long-lasting treatment for diabetic macular edema in order to impede disease progression and prevent vision loss. Oculy meets this need with our device, an ocular implant that slowly releases medication to the back of the eye over an extended period of time, thus improving clinical outcomes for patients who cannot visit the hospital as frequently. Oculy reduces preventable blindness by increasing access to treatment for chronic eye diseases globally.

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