Top 29 Eye Disease and Blindness treatment startups in USA
Jul 05, 2026
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1
Funding: $430M
Ollin develops drugs for the treatment of patients with severe vision diseases, particularly diabetic macular edema. Its lead candidate, OLN324, for wet age-related macular degeneration (WAM), has demonstrated superior results compared to leading approved drugs. Another candidate, OLN102, is a potential first-in-class drug for the treatment of thyroid eye disease. OLN102 is designed to target both the IGF-1R and the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR).
Ollin develops drugs for the treatment of patients with severe vision diseases, particularly diabetic macular edema. Its lead candidate, OLN324, for wet age-related macular degeneration (WAM), has demonstrated superior results compared to leading approved drugs. Another candidate, OLN102, is a potential first-in-class drug for the treatment of thyroid eye disease. OLN102 is designed to target both the IGF-1R and the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR).
2
Funding: $407M
Science Corp creates PRIMA retinal implant that has demonstrated in clinical trials the ability to restore vision to patients blinded by the effects of dry advanced macular degeneration. It's a chip said to be smaller than a grain of rice that, when implanted in the eye, works with camera-equipped glasses to restore functional vision. In trials spanning 47 patients across Europe and the U.S., 80% demonstrated meaningful improvement in visual acuity and were able to read letters, numbers, and words, the company says.
Science Corp creates PRIMA retinal implant that has demonstrated in clinical trials the ability to restore vision to patients blinded by the effects of dry advanced macular degeneration. It's a chip said to be smaller than a grain of rice that, when implanted in the eye, works with camera-equipped glasses to restore functional vision. In trials spanning 47 patients across Europe and the U.S., 80% demonstrated meaningful improvement in visual acuity and were able to read letters, numbers, and words, the company says.
3
Funding: $234.5M
City Therapeutics is focused on developing next-generation small interfering RNAs. Its lead candidate, CITY-FXI, is a potential best-in-class RNA interference-based therapeutic that targets a clotting factor. It can help prevent blood clots and serious conditions such as stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and myocardial infarction. By targeting a key protein called factor XI, CITY-FXI aims to protect patients from thrombosis while reducing the risk of bleeding. Another candidate, CITY-RBP4, is a promising RNA interference-based therapeutic for preventing vision loss in Stargardt disease.
City Therapeutics is focused on developing next-generation small interfering RNAs. Its lead candidate, CITY-FXI, is a potential best-in-class RNA interference-based therapeutic that targets a clotting factor. It can help prevent blood clots and serious conditions such as stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and myocardial infarction. By targeting a key protein called factor XI, CITY-FXI aims to protect patients from thrombosis while reducing the risk of bleeding. Another candidate, CITY-RBP4, is a promising RNA interference-based therapeutic for preventing vision loss in Stargardt disease.
4
Funding: $137M
Character Bio is a platform that merges genomics with clinical data and AI technology, focusing on patients affected by AMD.
Character Bio is a platform that merges genomics with clinical data and AI technology, focusing on patients affected by AMD.
5
Funding: $763.8M
Spark is a leader in the field of gene therapy, seeking to transform the lives of patients by developing potential one-time, life-altering treatments for debilitating genetic diseases. We initially are applying our integrated platform to treat rare diseases where no, or only palliative, therapies exist.
Spark is a leader in the field of gene therapy, seeking to transform the lives of patients by developing potential one-time, life-altering treatments for debilitating genetic diseases. We initially are applying our integrated platform to treat rare diseases where no, or only palliative, therapies exist.
6
Funding: $694.9M
Pliant Therapeutics is focused on discovering, developing and commercializing breakthrough treatments for fibrotic diseases.
Pliant Therapeutics is focused on discovering, developing and commercializing breakthrough treatments for fibrotic diseases.
7
Funding: $513M
Zenas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing immune-based therapies for patients (including with Thyroid Eye Disease ).
Zenas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing immune-based therapies for patients (including with Thyroid Eye Disease ).
8
Funding: $317.8M
Emendo Biotherapeutics develops gene editing platform to expand the list of diseases amenable to treatment with gene editing, resulting in a pipeline of hematology and ophthalmology programs.
Emendo Biotherapeutics develops gene editing platform to expand the list of diseases amenable to treatment with gene editing, resulting in a pipeline of hematology and ophthalmology programs.
9
Funding: $247M
Ray Therapeutics is a biotech company that develops optogenetic gene therapies for patients with blinding diseases.
Ray Therapeutics is a biotech company that develops optogenetic gene therapies for patients with blinding diseases.
11
Funding: $173.4M
IDx is a leading AI diagnostics company on a mission to transform the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. The company’s first product, IDx-DR, is an FDA-cleared AI-based diagnostic system designed for use at the front lines of care to detect diabetic retinopathy. IDx is developing additional AI-based diagnostic algorithms for the detection of macular degeneration, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke risk.
IDx is a leading AI diagnostics company on a mission to transform the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. The company’s first product, IDx-DR, is an FDA-cleared AI-based diagnostic system designed for use at the front lines of care to detect diabetic retinopathy. IDx is developing additional AI-based diagnostic algorithms for the detection of macular degeneration, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke risk.
12
Funding: $162.7M
Meira Gene Therapy is argeting inherited retinal diseases with therapies designed to halt vision loss.
Meira Gene Therapy is argeting inherited retinal diseases with therapies designed to halt vision loss.
13
Funding: $120M
Aurion Biotechnologies is on mission is to cure leading forms of blindness and transform the lives of millions of patients, by developing a platform of advanced therapies to treat ocular diseases.
Aurion Biotechnologies is on mission is to cure leading forms of blindness and transform the lives of millions of patients, by developing a platform of advanced therapies to treat ocular diseases.
14
Funding: $104.8M
Claris works to improve lives by uniting unmet needs in ophthalmology with robust science and data-driven decision making
Claris works to improve lives by uniting unmet needs in ophthalmology with robust science and data-driven decision making
15
Funding: $57M
EyeQue is a maker of at home visual acuity tests. Dedicated to inspiring people to learn about & care for their eyes by putting affordable, accurate vision tests directly into their hands.
EyeQue is a maker of at home visual acuity tests. Dedicated to inspiring people to learn about & care for their eyes by putting affordable, accurate vision tests directly into their hands.
16
Funding: $56M
Visus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company lighting the way to dramatically improve patient lives through the development of differentiated, best-in-class ophthalmic therapies.
Visus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company lighting the way to dramatically improve patient lives through the development of differentiated, best-in-class ophthalmic therapies.
17
Funding: $55.3M
XP Health is an artificial intelligence-powered vision benefits platform for employees.
XP Health is an artificial intelligence-powered vision benefits platform for employees.
18
Funding: $46.8M
Surface Pharmaceuticals intends to advance state of the art treatments for ocular surface diseases.
Surface Pharmaceuticals intends to advance state of the art treatments for ocular surface diseases.
19
Funding: $47.4M
Eyenuk, Inc. is a global digital health company and leader in real-world AI eye screening for autonomous disease detection
Eyenuk, Inc. is a global digital health company and leader in real-world AI eye screening for autonomous disease detection
20
Funding: $43.1M
Opternative builds online eye exam, the most convenient way to get a prescription from an ophthalmologist for contacts and glasses. The exam can be taken from anywhere, at any time, and a doctor issued prescription can be used to shop everywhere. Eye exams for glasses and contact prescriptions are just the beginning. We envision a world where technology allows patients and doctors to connect to make all aspects of vision care more convenient, accessible and even fun!
Opternative builds online eye exam, the most convenient way to get a prescription from an ophthalmologist for contacts and glasses. The exam can be taken from anywhere, at any time, and a doctor issued prescription can be used to shop everywhere. Eye exams for glasses and contact prescriptions are just the beginning. We envision a world where technology allows patients and doctors to connect to make all aspects of vision care more convenient, accessible and even fun!
21
Funding: $42.4M
Abpro Therapeutics develops antibody drugs for cancer and vascular eye disease
Abpro Therapeutics develops antibody drugs for cancer and vascular eye disease
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Funding: $26M
Simple Contacts allows you to take a vision test and reorder your contacts In just five minutes, without the office visit.
Simple Contacts allows you to take a vision test and reorder your contacts In just five minutes, without the office visit.
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Funding: $17M
RetroSense Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that is developing a game-changing gene therapy to restore vision in patients suffering from blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (advanced dry-AMD). There are currently no FDA approved therapies to improve or restore vision in patients with these retinal degenerative conditions.
RetroSense Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that is developing a game-changing gene therapy to restore vision in patients suffering from blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (advanced dry-AMD). There are currently no FDA approved therapies to improve or restore vision in patients with these retinal degenerative conditions.
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Funding: $10M
AEYE Health is a digital health company focused on automated, AI-based diagnostic screening solutions for retinal imaging. The company’s system is designed to enable clinicians to detect a variety of medical conditions, prevent blindness, and save lives.
AEYE Health is a digital health company focused on automated, AI-based diagnostic screening solutions for retinal imaging. The company’s system is designed to enable clinicians to detect a variety of medical conditions, prevent blindness, and save lives.
26
Funding: $8.1 m
We developed the world’s first smartphone based wavefront autorefractor, SVOne, to combat this global challenge. To date, the SVOne is used in over 300 eye clinics across the United States and in 23 countries. Today, the team continues to create industry-changing technology to reinvent the future of vision care.
We developed the world’s first smartphone based wavefront autorefractor, SVOne, to combat this global challenge. To date, the SVOne is used in over 300 eye clinics across the United States and in 23 countries. Today, the team continues to create industry-changing technology to reinvent the future of vision care.
27
Funding: $3M
TeamedOn is advancing gene therapies for rare diseases and currently focused on ophthalmic indications. We are developing innovative medicine to treat inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) and other eye diseases with significant unmet medical need.
TeamedOn is advancing gene therapies for rare diseases and currently focused on ophthalmic indications. We are developing innovative medicine to treat inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) and other eye diseases with significant unmet medical need.
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CooperVision is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses and related products and services.
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