Imagine Eyes
Imagine Eyes is a French medical device company that develops adaptive optics retinal imaging technology, centered on the rtx1 camera, enabling cellular-level retinal imaging for pharmaceutical sponsors, academic research centers, and CROs developing and monitoring retinal therapies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersOrsay, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Imagine Eyes does
Imagine Eyes is a French medical device company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Orsay, France, that develops adaptive optics (AO) retinal imaging technology for clinical research and retinal therapy development. The company's core product is the rtx1 AO retinal camera, which delivers cellular-level imaging of the human retina at 1.6 μm resolution, enabling visualization of individual cone photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, and microvascular structures not detectable with conventional OCT or color fundus imaging. The product ecosystem extends beyond the rtx1 hardware to include the AOimage 3.7 software platform with protocol and follow-up workflows, i2kretina auto-montage software, AI-powered AObox cone analysis (co-developed with Erasmus MC and Rotterdam Eye Hospital), the rtx1-TFI transscleral fluorescence illumination module for RPE imaging, and the m2OCT clinical prototype that combines SS-OCT, OCTA, and SLO with adaptive optics for 3D cellular-resolution retinal tomography.
The company monetizes through three streams: hardware sales of the rtx1 (CE marked as Class IIa in the EU and approved in Japan, China, and South Korea; FDA 510(k) pending), professional services for clinical trial implementation including imaging protocol design, device rental and logistics, and software/licensing of extended features and add-on modules. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales to pharmaceutical sponsors, clinical investigators, and CROs with a global clinical trial equipment partnership with Emsere and a network of regional business partners, supported by an event-driven presence at ARVO, Euretina, and the company-organized AO-VISION Symposium. Primary customer segments are pharmaceutical and biotech companies running retinal therapy trials (gene therapy, cell therapy, regenerative medicine), clinical research centers and academic medical centers (Moorfields, Erasmus MC, NIH/NEI, Emory, Quinze-Vingts, Kobe Eye Center, University of Tübingen, Lions Eye Institute, Rigshospitalet), and CROs managing retinal therapy trials. Technology validation is anchored by 300+ peer-reviewed publications and adoption across 90 clinical investigation centers in 18 countries.
Imagine Eyes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Imagine Eyes
- Legal name
- Imagine Eyes
- Website
- https://imagine-eyes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Imagine Eyes is a French medical device company that develops adaptive optics retinal imaging technology, centered on the rtx1 camera, enabling cellular-level retinal imaging for pharmaceutical sponsors, academic research centers, and CROs developing and monitoring retinal therapies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Imagine Eyes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmic Medical Imaging Devices
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retinal Imaging & OCT Systems (OCT/OCTA, Fundus Cameras, Fluorescein/ICG Angiography) (HLAHAJAB)
Keywords
Where Imagine Eyes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orsay
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Imagine Eyes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Adaptive Optics Retinal Camera Sales: Sale of rtx1 adaptive optics retinal cameras to clinical research centers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies for clinical research and trials. The device is CE marked as Class IIa in EU and approved in Japan, China, and South Korea.
- Clinical Trial Services: Comprehensive services including imaging protocol design, customer support, device rental and logistics for successful implementation of AO biomarkers in studies and trials of various phases.
- Software and Feature Licensing: Extended CE certification to new software features (AOimage 3.7) and optional modules (TFI, AObox) for existing rtx1 installations.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Imagine Eyes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Imagine Eyes designs, manufactures and sells adaptive optics (AO) retinal imaging devices, with the rtx1 camera as its flagship product. The technology enables cellular-level imaging of the retina at 1.6 µm resolution, allowing clinicians and researchers to visualize individual cone photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium cells, and microvascular structures for clinical research, drug development, and therapy monitoring. The company also provides software (AOimage 3.7, i2kretina), AI analytics (AObox), optional hardware modules (rtx1-TFI, m2OCT), and clinical trial implementation services.
Product overview
Imagine Eyes offers a portfolio of adaptive optics (AO) retinal imaging products centered on the rtx1 camera. The rtx1 is the core adaptive optics retinal camera enabling cellular-level imaging of cone photoreceptors, RPE cells, and microvascular structures. The product ecosystem includes supporting software (i2kretina auto-montage, AOimage 3.7), optional modules (AObox AI analytics, rtx1-TFI for RPE imaging, m2OCT multimodal OCT prototype), and the AO Technology Toolkit (aokit). Together, these products enable clinicians and researchers to examine retinas at unprecedented cellular resolution for clinical research and retinal therapy development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- rtx1: Adaptive Optics Retinal Camera - the world's most widely used AO imaging device for cellular-level retinal imaging
- m2OCT
- AObox
- AOimage 3.7
- rtx1-TFI
Products and services
- rtx1 Adaptive Optics Retinal Camera The flagship adaptive optics retinal camera enabling cellular-level imaging of the human retina at 1.6 µm resolution. The world's most widely used AO imaging device, providing quantification of cone cells, RPE cells, and microvascular structure for clinical research and retinal therapy development. CE Class IIa certified in the EU and approved in Japan, China, and South Korea.
- i2kretina Auto-montage Software Auto-montage software for creating wide-field retinal images by stitching multiple rtx1 captures together.
- aokit AO Technology Toolkit AO Technology Toolkit providing components and tools for adaptive optics retinal imaging research and development.
- AObox AI-Powered Cone Analysis AI-Powered Cone Analysis module for rtx1 cameras, developed with Erasmus MC and Rotterdam Eye Hospital. Enables faster, more objective, and scalable analysis of cone photoreceptor mosaics using artificial intelligence / computer vision.
- m2OCT Multimodal Cellular-Resolution Retinal Tomograph Multimodal OCT device augmented by adaptive optics, available as clinical prototype. Combines SS-OCT, OCTA, and SLO to deliver both large-field retinal images and close-up views with three-dimensional cellular resolution.
- rtx1-TFI Transscleral Fluorescence Illumination Module Transscleral Fluorescence Illumination optional module for rtx1 camera enabling combined photoreceptor/RPE imaging and visualization of retinal pigment epithelium cells at the microscopic scale.
- AOimage 3.7 Software Software for rtx1 cameras with protocol workflows, fast follow-up workflow, integrated auto-montage, hybrid photoreceptor/RPE capture, gaze-dependent imaging, pupil-dependent imaging, and flicker stimulation capabilities. Streamlines AO imaging for clinical studies and trials. CE marked November 2024.
- Clinical Trial Implementation Services Professional services supporting the implementation of AO biomarkers in pharmaceutical and academic clinical trials, including imaging protocol design, customer support, device rental, and global logistics for multi-site studies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5-fold acceleration of clinical investigations in new retinal therapies
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Imagine Eyes
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Imagine Eyes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
Imagine Eyes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- EmserecoreEmsere is a leading provider of equipment for clinical trials, providing global coverage for rtx1 device deployment through their clinical trial equipment network. Partner for imaging protocol design, customer support, device rental and logistics worldwide.
- MERLIN Project ConsortiumcoreHorizon 2020 funded project (€4.9M European Commission grant) developing next-generation retinal imaging technology combining AO with OCT, OCTA, and SLO. Partners include academic teams, clinical research centers, and Imagine Eyes. Project successfully completed 2018-2022 with positive EC evaluation.
- TREAT-SVD ProjectminorProject developing new diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for small-vessel diseases, supported by France's National Research Agency (ANR) grant funding.
- AO-Vision ProjectminorProject developing novel biomarkers of inherited retinal diseases using AI-based methods applied to AO images, supported by Health Holland agency funding. Co-led by Erasmus MC and Rotterdam Eye Hospital.
- SHIVA ProjectminorExploring applications of MERLIN's OCT angiography technology for neurology, investigating retinal microcirculation in dementia and cognitive decline.
- Erasmus Medical CentercoreClinical and scientific partner collaborating on AI-powered cone analysis development (AObox) and AO imaging biomarkers for inherited retinal diseases.
- Rotterdam Eye HospitalcoreJoint project with Erasmus MC on AO imaging biomarkers for IRDs, co-leading AO-Vision project.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Imagine Eyes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Optos (Nikon): Optos, part of Nikon, is a leading ultra-widefield retinal imaging company serving ophthalmology practices and clinical trials. While its core technology is widefield rather than cellular-resolution, it competes for the same retinal imaging dollar in clinical research and pharma-sponsored studies.
- Topcon Healthcare: Topcon's MAESTRO and Triton OCT/OCTA systems are sold to the same ophthalmology and clinical research customer base as the rtx1. Topcon is a direct peer in multimodal retinal imaging, even though it does not currently offer cellular-resolution AO imaging.
- Heidelberg Engineering: Heidelberg Engineering's SPECTRALIS platform is a leading commercial OCT/OCTA retinal imaging system used widely in clinical trials and ophthalmology practices. It is the closest direct competitor to the rtx1 for high-resolution retinal imaging, though Heidelberg does not currently offer a commercial adaptive optics camera at Imagine Eyes' cellular resolution.
- NIDEK: NIDEK manufactures retinal imaging devices including OCT and fundus cameras sold to ophthalmology clinics and research centers globally. It competes for the same clinical-research and pharma-trial imaging budget that Imagine Eyes targets with the rtx1.
- iCare (Centervue): iCare (formerly Centervue) manufactures retinal imaging devices including MAIA microperimetry and Eidon confocal retinal imaging. It targets similar ophthalmology clinical and research customers as Imagine Eyes.
Emerging players
- Physical Sciences Inc. Physical Sciences Inc. has developed adaptive optics retinal imaging technology primarily for military and research applications. It represents an emerging alternative AO imaging capability, though it has not yet commercialized a product at the scale of Imagine Eyes' rtx1.
Others
- Boston Micromachines Corporation: Boston Micromachines supplies deformable mirrors that are core components of adaptive optics systems, including those used in ophthalmic imaging research. It is an enabling technology supplier rather than a direct imaging competitor.
- Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer Life Sciences): Revvity supplies high-content imaging and analysis platforms used in ophthalmic and cell-based research. While not a direct retinal imaging competitor, it serves an overlapping translational research and drug-development customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Carl Zeiss Meditec: Carl Zeiss Meditec's CIRRUS HD-OCT and broader ophthalmic diagnostic portfolio serve the same clinical research and pharma trial buyer as Imagine Eyes. As a large incumbent, Zeiss could integrate AO-like capabilities into future platforms, posing both a competitive threat and a potential acquirer profile.
- Canon Ophthalmic: Canon offers retinal cameras (CR-2, Xephilio OCT) and ophthalmic diagnostic devices to the same clinical customer base. As a broad incumbent with global regulatory reach, Canon is a comparable large ophthalmic imaging vendor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Imagine Eyes social profiles
Digital presenceImagine Eyes compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Imagine Eyes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Imagine Eyes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Imagine Eyes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Imagine Eyes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Imagine Eyes
What does Imagine Eyes do?
Imagine Eyes designs, manufactures and sells adaptive optics (AO) retinal imaging devices, with the rtx1 camera as its flagship product. The technology enables cellular-level imaging of the retina at 1.6 µm resolution, allowing clinicians and researchers to visualize individual cone photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium cells, and microvascular structures for clinical research, drug development, and therapy monitoring. The company also provides software (AOimage 3.7, i2kretina), AI analytics (AObox), optional hardware modules (rtx1-TFI, m2OCT), and clinical trial implementation services.
Is Imagine Eyes a public or private company?
Imagine Eyes is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Imagine Eyes founded?
Imagine Eyes was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Imagine Eyes based?
Imagine Eyes is headquartered in Orsay, France, in the Europe region.
How does Imagine Eyes make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Adaptive Optics Retinal Camera Sales are the primary driver. The others are clinical Trial Services and software and Feature Licensing.
Who are Imagine Eyes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Optos (Nikon), Topcon Healthcare, Heidelberg Engineering, NIDEK and iCare (Centervue). Physical Sciences Inc. is listed as an emerging player. Others are Boston Micromachines Corporation and Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer Life Sciences). Broad incumbents are Carl Zeiss Meditec and Canon Ophthalmic.
Does Imagine Eyes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Imagine Eyes.
What industry is Imagine Eyes in?
Imagine Eyes's product category is Ophthalmic Medical Imaging Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAJAB, Retinal Imaging & OCT Systems (OCT/OCTA, Fundus Cameras, Fluorescein/ICG Angiography). Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3845.