Finding opportunities to bring cutting-edge innovation to address the world’s most pressing eye health issues is a key driver behind how Johnson & Johnson operates
A recent investment in a start-up, TECLens, has tremendous potential when it comes to refractive vision correction.
TECLens is an early-stage innovator with a mission to disrupt the refractive surgery market. Recently, Johnson & Johnson closed a transaction to co-lead the Series A funding of TECLens.i The start-up is developing a novel, non-incisional refractive correction procedure that leverages a technique known as corneal cross-linking (CXL) to reshape the cornea. Through synergies between J&J’s storied expertise in eye health and TECLens’ early innovations in ophthalmology technologies, this investment creates exciting possibilities in the future of the refractive market.
Incisionless Corneal Cross-linking
The TECLens approach is attractive to both patients and physicians for a multitude of reasons. Whereas most current treatments to reshape the cornea require laser-ablation or invasive surgery, TECLens utilizes a non-invasive treatment by incorporating quantitative corneal crosslinking (qCXL) technology and a CXLens® device.ii
TECLens’ proprietary therapy delivers UV-light directly to the eye from a fiber optic-connected scleral contact lens. Patients receive a treatment that uses a computationally optimized UV pattern and a dose of riboflavin (vitamin B2) that is customized for each eye. The correction effect is monitored in real-time with ultrasound and the result is enhanced precision of the patient’s outcome.
This new technology currently in clinical development means possible relief for a wider range of patients – particularly those who are not good candidates for other refractive solutions or those who are looking for alternative solutions to traditional refractive surgeries. TECLens aims to deliver a comfortable, non-invasive, office-based treatment that is both repeatable and titratable.