Ophthonix

About Ophthonix

Ophthonix, Inc. was a vision care company founded in December 2000 that developed and marketed customized, high-definition vision technology. The company operated for approximately 12 years before closing its doors in October 2012 due to an inability to secure the necessary capital to continue operations.

The company's core business revolved around a proprietary wavefront-guided technology platform. This system included the Z-View Aberrometer, a device used by eye care professionals to measure the unique imperfections of a patient's eye, including higher-order aberrations that are not corrected by traditional eyeglasses. This measurement, termed the "iPrint" or optical fingerprint, was used to create a highly customized prescription. Ophthonix would then manufacture the iZon High Resolution Lenses at its own facility. These lenses were designed to provide sharper visual acuity, improved night vision by reducing glare and halos, and richer color perception.

The business model targeted eye care practitioners—optometrists and ophthalmologists—who would purchase or lease the Z-View Aberrometer. They would then offer the customized iZon lenses to their patients. The company generated revenue through the sale of these specialized lenses, which were available in various formats including single-vision, progressive, and sun lenses. The company's technology was positioned as a premium offering, likened to the difference between standard and high-definition television. Throughout its history, Ophthonix secured significant venture capital funding, including a $35.1 million Series D round in 2006 and a $25.9 million Series AA round in 2009, from prominent investors like Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, InterWest Partners, and DAG Ventures. In 2007, the company expanded its operations, moving to a larger 45,000-square-foot facility in Vista, California, to accommodate a fully automated optical lab and meet growing customer demand.