VERO BEACH, Fla.—A novel approach to eye screenings that could significantly expand access to vision care, particularly for those without it, is being proposed by two Florida-based ophthalmologists. The eye doctors, Adam Katz, MD and Bill Mallon, MD, are the founders of GlobeChek Enterprises, a private and self-funded start-up based here that has developed a multifunctional device that can perform visual acuity, auto-refraction, intra-ocular eye pressure and ocular coherence tomography test, and take photos of both the external eye and retina.

The diagnostic instruments that perform the tests are networked together and housed in globe shaped units that the company plans to put in public spaces with high foot traffic such as airports and shopping malls. The globes are attended by trained GlobeChek technicians who clean the chin cup, answer questions and run the user through the testing process. The devices will also be available to health care clinics, and a mobile version housed in a fully equipped trailer will travel to patients in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, businesses and remote areas.


Users try out the GlobeChek system which can perform a variety of vision tests.
Test results are sent encrypted/HIPAA-compliant to the GlobeChek Reading Center. A GlobeChek report is generated within 24 hours and sent to the user by HIPAA-compliant email. Users can then share the results with their eye doctor, or use a local eye doctor referred by GlobeChek. Katz said GlobeChek has created a network consisting of over 1,500 doctors from around the world, including ophthalmologists and optometrists. Network listings will be free, although premium, paid positions will be offered.

“We do not intend to screen people who currently have an eyecare provider. We will not be competing with eye doctors,” Katz said.

According to Katz, approximately 80 percent of Americans currently do not receive eyecare, and expanding access to this large population is a primary reason that he and Mallon formed GlobeChek. “Our tagline, ‘Screen. Detect. Refer,’ summarizes our philosophy,” Katz told VMAIL.

“We think Millennials will probably be the first to embrace this new concept: bring the exam to the public, instead of requiring the public to come to us. We wish to remove the barriers so that we can prevent unnecessary and preventable vision loss.”

Speed is another of GlobeChek’s advantages. The system can do a complete eye scan in six minutes, compared with 18 minutes or more for conventional methods, according to Mallon. “Think about that as a multiple, and you’ll understand how much efficiency can be achieved,” he said.

Mallon said that GlobeChek’s goal is to replace the human component in the company’s Reading Center with artificial intelligence, which will enable users to receive the results of their eye tests almost instantly.

Currently, GlobeChek is conducting a clinical trial of its eye exam system at New York Presbyterian-Columbia Medical Center in New York City. Mallon said he expects FDA clearance in August, after which the company will begin distributing the globes.