Startup Company Vivid Vision signs license agreement with The Research Foundation for SUNY

Startup Vivid Vision, Inc. has signed an exclusive license agreement with The Research Foundation for The State University of New York to employ a new device to treat lazy eye and other disorders of binocular vision.

San Francisco, May 3rd, 2018 - Startup Vivid Vision, Inc. has signed an exclusive license agreement with The Research Foundation for The State University of New York to employ a new device to treat lazy eye and other disorders of binocular vision.

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a developmental problem in the nerve connecting the eye to the brain. The patented system was invented by Benjamin Backus, an associate professor at the SUNY College of Optometry, with his colleagues Kenneth Ciuffreda and Diana Ludlam. It uses eye tracking to provide direct and precise binocular visual stimulation at known locations on the retinas of both eyes simultaneously. The idea is to train neurons to function appropriately.

“Hebbian learning, which strengthens synaptic connections, is an important mechanism of neuroplasticity – the brain’s remarkable ability to change its structure and organization to compensate for illness or injury and adjust to new situations,” Backus explained. “It’s exciting to see this basic science research idea being developed in a real-world product to help people see better.”

Vivid Vision is a California-based company that is building a vision care platform that works with new virtual reality technology to treat amblyopia, strabismus (the most common cause of amblyopia), and disorders of binocular vision. Backus, whose work at the SUNY College of Optometry focuses on understanding how binocular vision works, joined Vivid Vision as Chief Science Officer. He is using his expertise to make sure the Vivid Vision system is using the cutting edge of vision science.

“We believe eye tracking is integral to the next generation of treatment tools for binocular dysfunction such as amblyopia, strabismus, and convergence insufficiency,” said Vivid Vision CEO James Blaha. “We couldn’t develop these new tools without collaboration with the Research Foundation for SUNY and the licensing of their patent. Having Dr. Backus as our Chief Science Officer at Vivid Vision ensures we can translate this exciting technology into clinical practice.”

"The research on binocular visual function that is the basis of this technology was conducted as part of SUNY Optometry’s active research mission on the eye and vision,” said Dr. David Troilo, vice president and dean for academic affairs at SUNY College of Optometry. “Translating our research efforts to improvements in patient care is a major goal at the college. We are very pleased that Vivid Vision will help us make this a reality for patients with these conditions."

Research at SUNY produces more than 200 new technologies a year. The Research Foundation for SUNY protects the valuable intellectual property generated at SUNY campuses and works with industry and businesses, like Vivid Vision, to translate research discoveries into commercial products that benefit society and spur economic development.

About Vivid Vision

Vivid Vision is an eye care company based in San Francisco, CA, that makes cutting edge tools for vision care professionals. Vivid Vision offers a complete solution for treating binocular vision problems like amblyopia, strabismus, and vergence disorders both in the eye clinic and at home under the guidance of a medical professional.

About the Research Foundation for SUNY

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (RF) is the largest comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country. It exists to serve the State University of New York (SUNY) by providing essential administrative services that enable SUNY faculty to focus their efforts on the education of students and the performance of life-changing research across a wide range of disciplines including medicine, engineering, physical sciences, energy, computer science, and social sciences. The RF works with the academic and business leadership of SUNY campuses to support research and discovery through administration of sponsored projects and technology transfer and management of intellectual property for public benefit and economic growth. The RF is a private non-profit education corporation that is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c) (3). To learn more about the RF, visit www.rfsuny.org.

Media Contacts

Vivid Vision
(877) 877-0310
contact@seevividly.com
www.seevividly.com

Peter Taubkin
Director, External Relations and Corporate Communications
The Research Foundation for SUNY
518-434-7063
peter.taubkin@rfsuny.org

For more information about Vivid Vision in the US, please go to https://www.seevividly.com/

For more information about Vivid Vision in Asia, contact https://jp.seevividly.com/contact

For more information about Vivid Vision in Australia, contact https://www.francemedical.com.au

For more information about Vivid Vision in Europe, contact http://www.visus.de

Find a Provider press release patent suny state university of new york suny optometry eye tracking binocular vision amblyopia

Find a Vivid Vision Provider

Over 479 Vivid Vision Providers prescribe virtual reality alongside patching and vision therapy to treat your lazy eye. Sign up through our doctor locator to see if Vivid Vision is right for you.