I am an ophthalmologist with a specialty in Cornea and Refractive surgery who practiced for almost thirty years. I retired in December of 2024. In 2016 I established EyePod, a company designed to develop a fully automated refraction device. The digital technology for refraction had become so advanced, that it seemed that automated refraction was the next logical step. As a result of this work, I discovered EyeQue, a company that had already developed an affordable smartphone-based automated refraction device using an MIT patent. This ended my own entrepreneurial ambitions, but I was fortunate to join EyeQue as a medical advisor.
I have been working with EyeQue for about seven years. EyeQue is a consumer oriented medical device technology company that develops at-home vision testing solutions and operates a telemedicine network for vision care. The company provides smartphone-powered devices and applications that allow users to measure their refractive error, track vision changes, and order corrective lenses from anywhere, at any time. EyeQue’s products leverage advanced optical technology and AI-driven software to deliver accurate, affordable, and convenient vision assessments.
Many people are pleased with their current eye care provider and the health care system. There are many though who cannot afford eye care, do not have the flexibility to have an in-office eye exam, and who cannot find an eye care provider. I am excited about being part of the EyeQue team because we offer technologically advanced devices that are designed to reduce the cost of eye care and to increase access to eye care providers, all from the comfort of the user’s home.
EyeQue released VERAI – Virtual Evaluation of Refraction with AI, in spring 2025. This device is user-friendly and accurately measures refraction with a smartphone app using an adaptive AI algorithm. The refraction measurements are obtained quickly and are very accurate. It is the only device of its kind available on the market today. We believe that this device will allow millions of people in this country and worldwide to have a cost effective and easily accessible opportunity to obtain a glasses prescription and see better. Combining VERAI with EyeQue’s other devices allows a user to test their vision, to obtain a refraction, and to receive a prescription from an eye care provider via our Telehealth platform. EyeQue has developed innovative technologies and solutions helping to solve important issue of eye care delivery in the US and around the world.
I have been fortunate to be part of the team testing VERAI. As noted above, VERAI utilizes EyeQue’s refraction device (PVT) with a sophisticated AI driven app that makes the refractive measurements with far fewer tests in less than half the time of the previous app. My experience with VERAI was that it is easy to use, quick, and incredibly accurate. I loved EyeQue’s original technology, but VERAI is incredible. The prescription generated by VERAI matched my current glasses prescription exactly. There was no error in the testing results. I am amazed that this simple plastic eye piece attached to a smartphone generates results that are as accurate as the very expensive equipment in my office! Try VERAI and be impressed by the ease of use and the quick test results.
Daniel E. Petashnick, M.D.
EyeQue Medical Advisor
