CATS Tonometer

What CATS Tonometer does

CATS Tonometer, LLC is a privately held medical device company founded in 2017 in Tucson, Arizona, by Dr. Sean McCafferty (President and CEO). The company develops and sells a modified Goldmann applanation tonometer prism that delivers more accurate intraocular pressure (IOP) readings by compensating for corneal biomechanical variables — central corneal thickness, corneal curvature, corneal hysteresis, and tear film — through a patented dual curved concave-convex tip surface. Peer-reviewed research cited by the company reports 94% improved IOP accuracy versus standard Goldmann tonometry for the majority of the population. The product line consists of the CATS-R reusable modified prism, the CATS-L traditional flat-surface prism compatible with all Goldmann tonometers, and the CATS-D disposable sterile single-use prism with a Snap-Fit ergonomic attachment system. CATS also offers the CATS Goldmann Diagnostic Set combining modified and traditional prisms and two complementary web-based clinical reference tools — an Interactive IOP Simulator and an Interactive IOP Calculator for treatment-outcome modeling. All SKUs are FDA-cleared and manufactured in the U.S.

The business model is hardware sales of one-time-purchase medical devices with list prices between $135 (CATS-L) and $265 (diagnostic sets) plus volume discounts up to 30% for bulk orders of 10+ prisms. Revenue is generated across three primary customer segments: ophthalmologists, glaucoma specialists, and optometrists (the dominant professional eye-care buyer base), federal healthcare systems (VA and DoD) accessed via the Lovell Government Services distribution partnership on DLA ECAT, FSS, GSA Advantage, and DAPA, and international buyers reached through VisionLine in Brazil. Distribution is channel-led, leveraging five U.S. authorized distributors (Precision Vision, Hilco Vision, OCuSOFT, Cal Coast Ophthalmic, Veatch Ophthalmic), the federal distribution partner, and direct e-commerce through the company's own Shopify storefront. Commercial activity is concentrated at major ophthalmology and optometry conferences (AAO, ASCRS, ARVO, AGS, ESCRS, AAOptom, AOA) supplemented by peer-reviewed publications and clinical endorsements from medical advisors including Dr. John Berdahl and Dr. Nathan Radcliffe.

The company has raised only non-dilutive capital to date: a $1.1M SBIR/STTR Phase II grant from the National Institutes of Health, alongside support from the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program and the NIH Commercialization Accelerator Program. The IP portfolio comprises two U.S. utility patents, three U.S. design patents, and industrial design registrations across Australia, India, Korea, Japan, Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

Name

CATS Tonometer

Legal name

CATS Tonometer, LLC

Website

https://catsiop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CATS Tonometer is a Tucson, Arizona-based medical device company that sells an FDA-cleared, modified Goldmann tonometer prism designed to improve intraocular pressure measurement accuracy by compensating for corneal biomechanical variables, serving ophthalmologists, optometrists, and federal healthcare buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Medical Devices

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (423460)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Glaucoma Diagnostics & Surgical Devices (Tonometry, Gonioscopy, MIGS, Drainage Implants, Laser Trabeculoplasty) (HLAHAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Intraocular pressure measurement
• Tonometer prisms
• Ophthalmic medical devices
• Goldmann applanation tonometry
• Glaucoma diagnostic devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Medical Device Hardware Sales: The company generates revenue from the sale of its proprietary tonometer prisms. Products include reusable prisms (CATS-R at $195, CATS-L at $135), disposable prisms (CATS-D at $175/box of 100), and diagnostic sets (CATS R+L at $265, Goldmann Diagnostic Set at $225). Revenue is one-time purchase based with volume discount opportunities for bulk orders.
2. Government Healthcare Distribution: Through partnership with Lovell Government Services (SDVOSB), CATS products are available through government contracting vehicles including Defense Logistics Agency ECAT, Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), and GSA Advantage for VA and DoD procurement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CATS Tonometer manufactures and sells FDA-cleared Goldmann-compatible tonometer prisms used by eye care clinicians to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) for glaucoma detection and management. The product line includes reusable (CATS-R), traditional flat surface (CATS-L), and disposable sterile single-use (CATS-D) prism variants, sold individually or in diagnostic sets through US ophthalmic distributors, federal healthcare channels, and direct online channels.

Product overview

CATS Tonometer offers a portfolio of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement prisms for Goldmann applanation tonometers. The product line consists of three main SKUs: CATS-R (reusable modified surface prism with dual curved tip designed to compensate for corneal biomechanics), CATS-L (traditional flat surface prism compatible with all Goldmann tonometers), and CATS-D (disposable sterile modified prism with Snap-Fit system). These prisms are sold individually or as the CATS-R+L Diagnostic Set combining modified and traditional surfaces. The company also provides two complementary web-based tools: an Interactive IOP Simulator for modeling pressure dynamics with adjustable physiological parameters, and an Interactive IOP Calculator for estimating treatment outcomes based on various glaucoma therapies. All prisms are FDA cleared, made in the USA, and designed to improve measurement accuracy by compensating for corneal thickness, curvature, hysteresis, and tear film variables.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CATS-R Reusable Prism FDA-cleared reusable Goldmann Modified Surface Prism featuring a dual curved tip surface designed to eliminate IOP measurement errors caused by corneal thickness, curvature, corneal hysteresis, and tear film. For use with all Goldmann applanation tonometers by ophthalmologists and optometrists. List price $195.00.
• CATS-L Traditional Prism FDA-cleared Goldmann Traditional Surface Prism with a flat surface modeled after the original Goldmann design, delivering accurate measurements with superior resolution and fully compatible with all Goldmann applanation tonometers. For use by ophthalmologists and optometrists performing standard tonometry. List price $135.00.
• CATS-D Disposable Prism FDA-cleared disposable Goldmann Modified Prism with dual curved tip surface, sterile single-use, featuring a Snap-Fit system for one-handed attachment and disposition. Packed 100 units per box. Designed to prevent cross-contamination and infection transfer in ophthalmic and optometric practices. List price $175.00 per box of 100.
• CATS R+L Comprehensive Diagnostic Set Bundled set containing one CATS-R (modified surface reusable prism) and one CATS-L (traditional surface reusable prism), enabling clinicians to differentiate ocular hypertension (OHT) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) variations from primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). For ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists. List price $265.00.
• CATS Goldmann Diagnostic Set Complete Goldmann diagnostic set including one CATS-L Traditional Goldmann Prism and one CATS-R Prism, sold as a limited-time promotional bundle for reliable IOP measurements. Limited time offer at $225.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% improved IOP accuracy for the majority of the population
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Lovell Government ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorService-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) federal distribution partner enabling CATS product sales through government healthcare systems including VA and DoD. Products available on Defense Logistics Agency ECAT, Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), GSA Advantage, and DAPA contract vehicles. Partnership announced February 15, 2022.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• DGH Technology: DGH makes pachymetry ultrasound devices (e.g., Pachmate) used to measure central corneal thickness, which is the same corneal biomechanical variable that CATS compensates for in its prism. Complementary/adjacent diagnostic for glaucoma workup.
• iCare (Revenio Group): iCare makes rebound tonometers that compete with the Goldmann workflow that CATS plugs into. Different measurement modality but same IOP use case and customer; iCare Finland's growth represents a substitution risk to the Goldmann base.

Broad incumbents

• Topcon Healthcare: Topcon is a diversified ophthalmic instrument maker covering OCT, fundus imaging, slit lamps and tonometers. Sells broadly to the same ophthalmologist customer base and could bundle or compete with CATS at the slit-lamp level.
• Nidek: Nidek produces a broad ophthalmic device portfolio including non-contact tonometers, slit lamps and surgical lasers. Overlapping customer base and same glaucoma/IOP diagnostic workflow as CATS.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec: ZEISS Meditec is a large ophthalmic platform covering diagnostics, surgical microscopes, and laser systems. Not a tonometer-prism specialist, but the dominant premium incumbent selling into the same ophthalmic practices CATS targets.

Direct peers

• Haag-Streit: Haag-Streit manufactures Goldmann-style tonometers and slit-lamp-mounted applanation devices used globally in ophthalmology. Its tonometer/prism ecosystem is the direct competitive context for CATS prisms.
• Keeler (Halma plc): Keeler produces a range of ophthalmic instruments including Perkins and Goldmann-compatible tonometers and related consumables. Overlaps directly with CATS as another prism/tonometry consumable vendor.
• Reichert Technologies (AMETEK): Reichert is the long-standing manufacturer of Goldmann applanation tonometers and the historical standard for IOP measurement. CATS competes head-on as an aftermarket prism that improves upon the baseline GAT reading on Reichert's installed base.

Regional players

• Tomey Corporation: Tomey manufactures ophthalmic diagnostic instruments including pachymeters and specular microscopes used in the same pre-op and glaucoma workflow as CATS, with a particularly strong presence in Japan and APAC.

Others

• Lovell Government Services: SDVOSB federal distributor partnered with CATS for VA/DoD access. Not a competitor, but the strategic channel through which CATS reaches government accounts and a comparable distribution intermediary in the ophthalmic/government supply chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CATSIOP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catsiop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 CATS Tonometer