ONNECT(R) Announces ClearKone(TM) by SynergEyes(R) As Finalist for Most Innovative New Product Award.
CONNECT(R), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining the growth of innovative technology and life science businesses in San Diego, announced SynergEyes, Inc., the high Dk hybrid contact lens manufacturer, as a finalist for its 22nd annual Most Innovative New Product (MIP) Award. SynergEyes was announced as a finalist for ClearKone(TM), its patent-pending advanced hybrid contact lens design for keratoconus patients.
ClearKone(TM) is the first hybrid contact lens with FDA-clearance specifically designed for patients with emerging, moderate to advanced stages of keratoconus. This "hybrid" design incorporates the benefits of two types of contact lenses into one. The SynergEyes differentiator is a patented bonding technology which attaches the soft "skirt"
to the RGP lens, providing for an improved and smooth connection that ensures no detachment. The RGP portion of the lens provides superior visual acuity and fully corrects the irregularities of the cornea caused by keratoconus, while the soft skirt enables healthy all-day comfort.
Keratoconus is the most common dystrophy of the cornea, affecting around one in every 2,000 people. Patients with this condition have had very few options for vision correction short of a corneal transplant. Eye glasses cannot correct for the condition and traditional contact lens options available to keratoconic patients generally result in less-than-optimal results, severely compromising on either visual acuity or comfort. At least 90% of all patients with keratoconus require contact lenses.
"At SynergEyes, we are dedicated to researching and developing advanced contact lens designs for keratoconus,"
says Joe Collins, Vice President of Manufacturing and R&D and co-founder of SynergEyes, Inc. "Technological breakthroughs in our research have led to the development of ClearKone(TM), which has been specifically designed to restore vision to a broad spectrum of keratoconus and irregular cornea patients."
The CONNECT MIP Awards, San Diego's "Oscars" for regional innovation, continue to showcase cutting-edge products covering a wide range of industries. The MIP Award finalists were selected from approximately 100 entries representing a broad range of companies within eight categories. Finalists were selected by industry experts and business leaders through a rigorous screening process. Winners will be announced on December 11th at the MIP Awards Luncheon, held at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, to an audience of over 800 of San Diego's top executives, entrepreneurs, service providers and academics.
