California-based startup Ocutrx, has launched the OcuLenz, an advanced augmented reality (AR) headset tailored for individuals with Advanced Macular Degeneration (AMD), the prevalent cause of vision loss in adults over 60. The pioneering device, available for pre-order, introduces an innovative online accessible booking platform for personalized seating preferences.
Founded in 2015 by brothers Michael and Mitchael Freeman, Ocutrx embarked on this venture spurred by their father’s diagnosis of age-related AMD. The OcuLenz headset incorporates pixel manipulation software, strategically moving images to peripheral vision, thereby enhancing the central visual experience. Ocutrx, having secured funding from ophthalmologists, plans to roll out several thousand units monthly, a significant stride in catering to the approximately 20 million Americans affected by AMD.
The OcuLenz AR headset is slated for a retail price of $6,000, with Medicare expected to cover a portion of the purchase cost. Backed by a Snapdragon XR2 processor from Qualcomm Technologies, Ocutrx envisions diverse applications in gaming, entertainment, enterprise, and medical realms, with a UnitySDK release in early 2024, facilitating third-party application development for the OcuLenz platform.
For more information, please refer to Forbe’s article on OcuLenz’s AR headset.