What HelpMeSee does

HelpMeSee is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by Al and Jim Ueltschi, headquartered in Jersey City, New York, with a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary (HMS Vision Private Limited). The organization's mission is to end cataract blindness, the leading cause of preventable blindness globally, which affects an estimated 100 million people due to a shortage of trained surgeons. HelpMeSee's core product is the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator, a high-fidelity virtual reality platform with haptic feedback technology (covered by US and Chinese patents) that replicates the sensations, forces, and tissue responses of live cataract surgery. The simulator is paired with standardized instructor-led courseware spanning MSICS (Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery, a 4-day course), Phacoemulsification (4-5 day course), and Supplementary Courses on complications management.

The platform is distributed through a partnership model rather than traditional commercial sales: HelpMeSee establishes training centers at partner hospitals, universities, and eye care institutions globally, supported by more than 40 deployed simulators. As of 2026, the organization operates 19 training hubs across 15 countries spanning the US, India, China, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia. More than 4,000 cataract specialists have been trained, with claims of over 265,000 sight-restoration outcomes and a 50% reduction in surgical errors observed after simulation training.

HelpMeSee's revenue model is donation-based, typical of a 501(c)(3) public charity. 2024 public support was dominated by foundation grants ($17.1M of approximately $17.6M total public support), with smaller contributions from individual donors ($478K), corporate giving (including Cisco-sponsored content), planned giving, and enterprise tech executive engagement programs. Training program pricing is not publicly disclosed; programs are delivered at no cost to trainees through hospital and institutional partnerships. The organization reports efficient fundraising metrics of 9 cents to raise $1 and a 6.61% management and general expense ratio, with 2024 net assets of $19.6M.

Name

HelpMeSee

Legal name

HelpMeSee, Inc.

Website

https://helpmesee.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HelpMeSee is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and distributes a patented VR eye surgery simulator with haptic feedback to train ophthalmologists in cataract surgery (MSICS and Phacoemulsification) across 19 training hubs in 15 countries, funded primarily by foundation grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Simulation Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Simulation (Surgery, Nursing, EMT, Patient Interaction) (EDAFAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vision Therapy & Orthoptics (HLAKAKAM), Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF)

Keywords

• Cataract surgery training
• VR surgical simulation
• Medical simulation training
• Ophthalmic education
• Haptic feedback simulation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: HelpMeSee receives donations from individual donors. The organization offers monthly giving programs starting at $5/month.
2. Foundation Grants: HelpMeSee receives support from foundations. In 2024, foundations contributed $17,132,641 to the organization.
3. Corporate Giving and Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support, gifts-in-kind, event sponsorship, and cause marketing partnerships. Cisco sponsored the Healthier Together content series.
4. Tech Execs Restoring Sight Program: Enterprise technology executives support HelpMeSee through quarterly virtual meetings, discussions about company support, introductions to other tech executives, and brainstorming technology applications. This is a fundraising engagement channel.
5. Planned Giving: HelpMeSee accepts planned gifts that provide long-term sustainability for the organization while offering financial benefits to donors.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

HelpMeSee delivers a simulation-based cataract surgery training program built around a high-fidelity virtual reality Eye Surgery Simulator with haptic feedback. The organization provides instructor-led courses (MSICS, Phacoemulsification, and Supplementary courses) at 19 training hubs across 15 countries, enabling ophthalmologists to practice procedures in a risk-free environment before operating on live patients.

Product overview

HelpMeSee is a nonprofit organization offering a simulation-based cataract surgery training platform centered on the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator. The core platform provides high-fidelity VR simulation with haptic feedback, combined with instructor-led courses including the MSICS Course (4 days), Phacoemulsification Course (4-5 days), and Supplementary Courses (2 hours to 2 days). The platform includes Performance Reporting and Haptic Feedback Technology as key features, with training delivered through a Simulation-based Learning System combining eBook, eLearning, simulator practice, and instructor guidance. One trained MSICS surgeon can perform up to 30,000 surgeries over their career, with a reduction in surgical errors of up to 50% observed as trainees begin operating on live patients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator A high-fidelity VR eye surgery simulator with haptic feedback that replicates the real-world surgical environment, enabling trainees to practice cataract surgery procedures including MSICS and Phacoemulsification in a risk-free setting before operating on live patients. Deployed across 40+ simulator units globally.
• MSICS Course A 4-day simulation-based training course on Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) that includes over 24 hours of practice on the Eye Surgery Simulator, interactive MSICS eBook, eLearning, facilitated discussions with certified instructors, and guided sessions to develop surgical competency.
• Phacoemulsification Course A 4-5 day simulation-based training course on phacoemulsification cataract surgery that guides trainees through each stage of the procedure including clear corneal incision, nucleus emulsification, foldable intraocular lens implantation, and wound hydration, with emphasis on hand-eye-foot coordination.
• Supplementary Courses Short simulation-based training courses covering Posterior Capsular Rupture Management (Limbal and Pars Plana approaches), Zonular Dialysis Management, Secondary IOL Placement, Small Pupil Management, and Suturing, ranging from 2 hours to 2 days in duration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in surgical errors
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya (SSDN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026HelpMeSee partnered with Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya in Guwahati, India to accelerate MSICS training in Northeast India. SSDN is the largest ophthalmic training institute in Northeast India, a premier eye care institution established in 1994, recognized as a Centre of Excellence in 2004.
• Eleta Eye Institute (EEI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026HelpMeSee partnered with Eleta Eye Institute in Ibadan, Nigeria to launch Nigeria's first simulation-based cataract surgery training center. EEI is accredited by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and West African College of Surgeons. The institute has trained 9 ophthalmologists in 5 years and performs high-volume cataract surgery through its network of 5 institutions (16,590 surgeries in 5 years).
• Christian Blind Mission (CBM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Christian Blind Mission partnered with HelpMeSee and Eleta Eye Institute to launch Nigeria's first simulation-based training center. CBM is an international development organization dedicated to improving quality of life for persons with disabilities in the world's poorest countries, having supported over 15 million cataract surgeries globally.
• HMS Vision Private LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHMS Vision Private Limited is the Indian subsidiary of HelpMeSee that operates a Training Center of Excellence in Mumbai and collaborates with leading institutions including L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Aravind Eye Hospital, Sankara Eye Hospital, and Medical Research Foundation to expand access to high-quality surgical education in India.
• WHO FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHelpMeSee was featured in the Healthier Together branded content series presented by the WHO Foundation and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions for Cisco. This collaboration showcases HelpMeSee's simulation-based surgical training program to address global cataract blindness.
• Cisco (via Splunk)coreTechnology or IntegrationSplunk, a Cisco company, provides technology systems to support HelpMeSee's global training operations and data-driven surgical education. Splunk enables remote performance data collection, monitoring, and troubleshooting to refine instruction and improve learning outcomes.
• BBC StoryWorks Commercial ProductionsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, the commercial content division of BBC Studios, produced the Healthier Together film series featuring HelpMeSee, presented by the WHO Foundation and sponsored by Cisco.
• Cure Blindness ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCure Blindness Project contributed ophthalmic instruments to support the HelpMeSee training center at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana.
• Columbia University Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbia University Medical Center has integrated HelpMeSee simulation-based training into their residency curriculum for ophthalmology training. Dr. Jack Cioffi, Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at Columbia, serves on HelpMeSee's Board of Directors.
• Aravind Eye Care SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAravind Eye Care System in Madurai, India is a training partner that uses HelpMeSee simulation-based training to improve surgical outcomes and minimize complications for their residents.
• L V Prasad Eye InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL V Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India is a training partner collaborating with HelpMeSee for simulation-based MSICS training.
• Sankara Eye HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSankara Eye Hospital in Bengaluru, India is a training partner for HelpMeSee simulation-based training programs.
• Medical Research Foundation (Sankara Nethralaya)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical Research Foundation (Sankara Nethralaya) in Chennai, India is a training partner for HelpMeSee simulation-based training programs.
• Kilimanjaro Christian Medical CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania is an established training hub serving as a regional hub for accelerating MSICS training in East Africa.
• La Polyclinique d'IlafycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Polyclinique d'Ilafy in Antananarivo, Madagascar is a training center hub serving the Mazava Project for cataract blindness elimination in Madagascar.
• VisualizaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisualiza in Guatemala City, Guatemala is a training partner for HelpMeSee simulation-based training programs in Central America.
• Instituto Mexicano de Oftalmología (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstituto Mexicano de Oftalmología in Querétaro, Mexico is a training partner with certified HelpMeSee instructors providing MSICS and Phacoemulsification training.
• VIU Clinica Oftalmologica InternacionalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIU Clinica Oftalmologica Internacional in Barranquilla, Colombia is a training partner for HelpMeSee simulation-based training programs in South America.
• Wenzhou Medical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWenzhou Medical University in China is a training partner where more than 520 cataract surgeons in East China have been trained in MSICS through HelpMeSee programs.
• He Eye Specialist HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHe Eye Specialist Hospital Group in China partnered with HelpMeSee resulting in training of 200+ cataract surgeons in North China, with further expansion through Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center Sun Yat-Sen University partnership.
• Société Africaine Francophone d'Ophtalmologie (SAFO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelpMeSee unveiled its Comprehensive MSICS Training System at the SAFO conference in Conakry, Guinea in February 2026, with global rollout planned for Q2 2026.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Surgical Science: Swedish surgical simulation vendor offering VR simulators across multiple specialties (laparoscopy, endovascular, robotic). It is also a technology partner to HelpMeSee but competes broadly in the same category, making it both collaborator and competitor.
• FundamentalVR: VR+haptic surgical training platform focused on ophthalmology, orthopedics, and other specialties. Directly comparable to HelpMeSee's haptic-feedback simulation value proposition and target customer base of teaching hospitals.
• VirtaMed: Switzerland-based developer of high-fidelity surgical simulators for arthroscopy, laparoscopy, and other procedures. Comparable product category (surgical skill simulators) and similar customer base of teaching institutions and medical societies.
• Orbis International: Aviation-linked global eye-care nonprofit co-founded by HelpMeSee's founder Albert Ueltschi. Directly comparable nonprofit mission, ophthalmic focus, and international training/health-system-strengthening model.
• Cure Blindness Project: Global nonprofit dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness, including cataract. Active partner with HelpMeSee at the Korle Bu training center; comparable mission, geography, and hospital-partnership model.

Emerging players

• ORamaVR: Early-stage VR surgical training company offering collaborative VR simulations. Comparable in technology approach and ophthalmology/surgical training focus, though smaller scale and broader in scope than HelpMeSee.

Broad incumbents

• CAE Healthcare: Healthcare simulation division of CAE (originally an aviation training company, sharing founder DNA with HelpMeSee). Offers broad patient and surgical simulators — overlaps with HelpMeSee's competency-based training model and target customers.
• Laerdal Medical: Global leader in medical simulation focused on patient and emergency-care scenarios. Adjacent in mission of competency-based medical training but specializes in patient simulators rather than surgical-skills simulators like HelpMeSee.
• Sightsavers: Large international NGO focused on preventing avoidable blindness across multiple eye conditions. Comparable mission in cataract-blindness elimination and LMIC operating footprint, but broader in scope and policy-focused.
• 3D Systems (Simbionix): Owner of the Simbionix surgical simulation brand, offering simulators for endovascular, general surgery, and other procedures. Comparable product category and customer base of academic medical centers and teaching hospitals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/helpmesee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeSUcE5a7YXTeVASxa6z_MQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/helpmesee
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helpmesee
• Instagraminstagram.com/helpmesee/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HelpMeSee