Ocuwell

Ocuwell is an eye-care technology company founded in 2022 as a spin-out from the University of Liverpool. The company was co-founded by Professor Ahmed Elsheikh, who serves as the Chief Scientific Officer, and Rania Maklad, the Chief Executive Officer. Professor Elsheikh is a biomedical engineering expert whose research in ocular biomechanics and imaging, spanning over two decades, forms the foundation of the company's technology. Rania Maklad brings operational expertise in supply chain management and international trade to oversee the company's growth and regulatory compliance.

The company's core mission is to democratize access to eye care by developing affordable and portable corneal topography devices. These palm-sized, point-of-care tools are designed to deliver diagnostic outputs comparable to larger, more expensive hospital-grade equipment at a fraction of the cost. The product lineup includes the OCUTOP, a compact scanning unit for capturing corneal data, and OCUGRAPH, a sophisticated software suite for analysis and visualization. This technology addresses a significant gap in care, as over 850 million people worldwide suffer from corneal disorders, and a lack of accessible diagnostic equipment often leads to delayed treatment and preventable vision loss. Ocuwell's devices are particularly beneficial for use in remote regions and for patients who cannot easily use traditional desktop machines.

Ocuwell's business model targets healthcare professionals like ophthalmologists and optometrists, providing them with advanced diagnostic and treatment customization tools. The technology enables precise, cloud-based assessment of conditions such as keratoconus, high myopia, and astigmatism. Beyond diagnostics, the company is developing software for treatment customization, including features to map the cornea's stiffness and analyze geometric distortions, aiming to improve outcomes for procedures like cataract surgeries and contact lens fittings. The company has received over £2 million in non-equity government grants and external investment to advance its technology, which has undergone clinical trials in India, Nepal, and Egypt. Ocuwell is currently pursuing regulatory approvals with plans for commercial release through strategic partnerships.

Keywords: corneal topography, ophthalmic diagnostics, eye care technology, MedTech, point-of-care diagnostics, ocular biomechanics, portable medical devices, cloud-based healthcare, keratoconus, astigmatism, vision care, medical imaging, ophthalmology, optometrist tools, corneal assessment, digital health, eye health screening, University of Liverpool spin-out, diagnostic equipment, health equity