What Signifeye does

Signifeye is a Belgian ophthalmology platform that consolidates independent eye-care practices under a single corporate umbrella (legal entity Eqiris N.V.), operating 9 clinics across 15 locations in Belgium's Flanders region and Brussels. Founded in 2019 around Oogcentrum Medipolis (Dr. Erik Mertens), the group has progressively acquired independent ophthalmology practices through a buy-and-build strategy, growing to include Brussels Eye Doctors, Eyecenter Oogartsen, Oogartsencentrum ZW-Vlaanderen, Oogartsenpraktijk Lier, Oogkliniek Brasschaat, Brussels Eye Center, Oogartsen Regio Limburg, and Oogcentrum Brugge. The platform serves general public patients and self-pay elective vision correction candidates across the full ophthalmology spectrum: cataract surgery, refractive surgery (SMILE-KLeX laser via Zeiss Visumax 800, ICL, lens replacement), glaucoma management, retinal disease, corneal disorders, pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastics, and dry-eye therapy.

The group's core technology is advanced ophthalmic hardware rather than software platforms: Zeiss Visumax 800 femtosecond lasers enabling SMILE-KLeX lenticule extraction (notably extended to hyperopia by Dr. Fernand De Wilde), ICL implantable collamer lens systems, diagnostic imaging for retina/cornea/glaucoma, and IPL therapy for dry eye. Member clinics retain local branding and physician leadership while sharing cross-clinic medical knowledge via Synergy events, joint congress participation (OB, ESCRS, AECOS, Rockmed Academy), and a documented research record including a bilateral same-day ICL publication in the Journal of Refractive Surgery and ISO 9001:2015 certification at Brussels Eye Doctors.

Signifeye monetizes clinical services through consultation fees, diagnostics, and surgical procedures (both insured via Belgium's INAMI/RIZIV system and self-pay for elective refractive work), with pricing held at the clinic level rather than publicly disclosed. Distribution is purely direct-to-consumer via owned clinic locations and physician referrals. In December 2025, EssilorLuxottica announced the acquisition of Signifeye as part of its expansion into medical eye care, integrating the group into the wider Optegra international ophthalmology network (UK, Netherlands, Central Europe) with closing expected in Q1 2026.

Name

Signifeye

Legal name

SIGNIFEYE – Eqiris N.V.

Website

https://signifeye.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Belgian ophthalmology platform operating nine clinics across fifteen locations in Flanders and Brussels. Founded in 2019, Signifeye consolidates independent eye practices through buy-and-build, offering cataract, refractive, glaucoma, and retinal care. Now being acquired by EssilorLuxottica.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Ophthalmology Clinics (Medical & Surgical Eye Care) (HLAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Ambulatory Surgery Centers (Ophthalmic/Outpatient Eye Surgery) (HLAKAKAO), Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology services
• Eye care clinics
• Refractive surgery
• Cataract treatment
• Laser vision correction

Headquarters

HQ city

Antwerpen

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ophthalmology Clinical Services: Signifeye generates revenue through ophthalmology consultation fees, diagnostic services, and surgical procedures across its network of clinics. Revenue is derived from patient consultations, cataract surgery, refractive procedures (SMILE, ICL, lens exchange), glaucoma treatment, retinal procedures, and cosmetic eyelid surgery. The group is expanding its footprint through acquisitions to increase recurring revenue streams from ophthalmology services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Signifeye operates a network of 9 Belgian ophthalmology clinics on 15 locations, providing comprehensive eye care from routine consultations and diagnostics to advanced surgical procedures. Core services include cataract surgery, refractive surgery (SMILE-KLeX laser vision correction, ICL implantation, lens replacement), glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, retinal and corneal disease management, pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastic/eyelid surgery, and dry-eye therapy. The group also acts as a buy-and-build platform that integrates independent eye clinics into the network while preserving their local brand identity.

Product overview

Signifeye is a network of ophthalmology clinics in Belgium, operating 9 clinics across 15 locations. As part of the international Optegra group (owned by EssilorLuxottica), Signifeye provides comprehensive eye care services through its member clinics. The network includes specialized clinics offering cataract surgery, refractive surgery (including SMILE laser treatments, ICL lens implantation, and lens replacement), retinal treatments, glaucoma care, corneal treatments, pediatric ophthalmology, and general eye care. Member clinics retain their individual identities while benefiting from shared knowledge, advanced technologies, and collaborative expertise across the network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Signifeye Ophthalmology Clinic Network A network of 9 ophthalmology clinics on 15 locations across Belgium that delivers comprehensive eye care — from routine consultations and diagnostics to cataract surgery, refractive surgery, glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastic and dry-eye treatments — under a unified quality framework while preserving each clinic's local identity.
• SMILE-KLeX Laser Vision Correction Advanced refractive surgery using the Zeiss Visumax 800 femtosecond laser to create and remove a precise corneal lenticule through a 2.5 mm incision, reshaping the cornea to correct myopia or, under SMILE-KLeX, hyperopia (with or without astigmatism).
• Circle Post Hyperopic SMILE Pro Next-generation SMILE-KLeX technique for hyperopia incorporating a Circle component, enabling treatment of farsightedness in patients aged 20-50 with hyperopia from +1 to +5 diopters, potentially combined with astigmatism.
• Oogcentrum Medipolis (Antwerp) Eye clinic in Antwerp founded by Dr. Erik Mertens, the first centre to join Signifeye in 2019; offers treatments to replace glasses and contact lenses, dry-eye treatment and other ophthalmology services for adult patients.
• Oogartsen Regio Limburg (Maasmechelen, Hasselt-Kiewit, Diepenbeek) Multi-site ophthalmology practice across the Limburg region focusing on retinal diseases, contact lenses, low vision, eye prosthetics, dry eyes with IPL therapy and myopia control therapy.
• Oogcentrum Brugge Bruges-based eye clinic with four doctors and seven staff, specializing in medical retina, eyelid surgery, tear duct surgery and general eye diseases.
• Brussels Eye Doctors Brussels eye clinic specializing in corneal disease diagnosis and treatment, strabismus, pediatric eye diseases, tear duct disorders and retinal diseases and surgery; ISO 9001:2015 certified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance since June 2024.
• Oogartsencentrum ZW-Vlaanderen & Kortrijk-West Ophthalmology center with locations in Harelbeke and Kortrijk-Bissegem, founded by Dr. Frank Kesteloot; a team of six ophthalmologists and four staff specializing in corneal and retinal disease (Kortrijk-West branch opened in 2024).
• Oogartsenpraktijk Lier Lier-based ophthalmology practice founded by Dr. May Dieltiens, covering refractive surgery, strabismus and amblyopia, retinal abnormalities, glaucoma and corneal abnormalities.
• Eyecenter Oogartsen (Sint-Martens-Latem, Eeklo, Merelbeke, Gavere) Large multi-site ophthalmology practice with eight ophthalmologists across four locations, founded by Dr. Fernand De Wilde; specializes in refractive surgery (SMILE laser, ICL lenses, lens exchange), cataract surgery, dry eyes, eyelid surgery, strabismus and age-related macular degeneration.
• Oogkliniek Brasschaat Brasschaat-based eye clinic founded by Dr. Ann Haustermans, with five ophthalmologists and seven staff providing eye care to adults and children, including consultations, treatments, cataract surgery, refractive surgery and cosmetic eyelid surgery.
• Brussels Eye Center Brussels eye clinic led by Dr. Jean Assaf with nine ophthalmologists, offering comprehensive eye care across general eye disease, cataracts, refractive surgery (laser, ICL, lens replacement), glaucoma, corneal disorders, strabismus, pediatric eye diseases, eyelid corrections, tear duct problems and retinal surgery.

Quantifiable outcome

• First hyperopic SMILE procedure in Belgium and the Netherlands performed by Dr. Fernand De Wilde at Eyecenter, marking a world-first achievement in refractive surgery.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• OptegracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Signifeye is an integral part of Optegra, an international ophthalmology group with operations in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and several Central European countries. Optegra itself is owned by EssilorLuxottica. The partnership enables knowledge sharing across borders, access to best practices, shared technology investments, and a unified quality framework for clinical excellence.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/signifeye

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries9 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 Signifeye