SynergEyes

About SynergEyes

Founded in 2001 by Jerry Legerton and Joe Collins, SynergEyes occupies a specialized niche within the ophthalmic industry, focusing on hybrid contact lens technology. The company's core business revolves around manufacturing and marketing advanced contact lenses that merge the visual clarity of a rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens with the comfort of a soft lens. This hybrid approach addresses a recognized need for patients with a variety of eye conditions, including astigmatism, presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia, and irregular corneas such as keratoconus.

SynergEyes brought its first product to market in 2005 after receiving FDA clearance, a significant milestone that validated its innovative approach. The company's patented HyperBond technology was a key breakthrough, creating a durable junction between the rigid center and the soft skirt, a problem that had plagued earlier hybrid lens designs. This technological advantage allowed SynergEyes to offer a more reliable and comfortable solution for patients. The company's business model is centered on supplying these specialty lenses directly to independent eye care professionals. By focusing on this professional channel, SynergEyes provides practitioners with advanced tools to offer their patients, supported by training and certification programs.

Over the years, SynergEyes has expanded its product portfolio significantly. Initial offerings included the SynergEyes A for astigmatism, SynergEyes KC for keratoconus, and SynergEyes Multifocal for presbyopia. Subsequent innovations led to the launch of the Duette family of lenses, which utilize silicone hydrogel materials for enhanced oxygen permeability, and the UltraHealth lens, specifically designed for managing keratoconus. More recently, the company introduced the SynergEyes iD line, which offers individually designed lenses for a personalized fit, and the SynergEyes VS scleral lens for more advanced irregular cornea cases. All research, development, and manufacturing are vertically integrated at its Carlsbad, California facility. After raising approximately $75.6 million in funding from investors like BioStar Capital, De Novo Ventures, and Alloy Ventures, SynergEyes was acquired by CooperVision in November 2022, a move intended to expand the adoption of its specialty lenses.