IbisVision’s refractive technology allows optometrists to run standard eye tests over the internet, and enables entire optical prescriptions to be conducted remotely.

It’s been said the £4.5M will be used by IbisVision to double its workforce and open a US office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

After having received a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) listing in March 2023, the company is apparently poised to win US sales, where it’s estimated there are around 110 million eye tests annually.

In addition to the US healthcare market, the Scots firm is also said to be eyeing the market in the European Union.

The £4.5M funding round is led by Miami-based Compiler VC. Compiler is an optical sector specialist, having developed and sold the For Eyes retail optician business which has 150 locations across the US.

Deepbridge and Scottish Enterprise — the growth capital experts — also supported the investment through Scottish Growth investments.

Deepbridge, Scottish Enterprise, and Compiler VC are all existing financial supporters of IbisVision.

On the announcement, Mark Roger, IbisVision’s CEO, said: “The commitment of our investor base shows they believe strongly in our story — that eyecare will be at the vanguard of remote healthcare, and IbisVision has the technology to make this a reality.

“Our mission is simple – to make eyecare readily available for anyone on the planet and that distance and time will never be an impediment to getting to an eye appointment.”

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Compiler VC’s Co-Founder, Adam Wolman, also commented, saying: “Not only are we delighted to build on our investment relationship with IbisVision, we’re also very excited about their plans to expand and set up base in our home market in the US.

“We know the potential that this technology can bring to optometrists around the country and our expertise in the eyecare industry means that we can help IbisVision with its growth plans.

“But our ambitions for IbisVision extend well beyond the US and we believe the company’s technology could become the global standard for remote eyecare examinations.”

Ben Carter, Head of Life Sciences at Deepbridge, added further: “The continued progress of IbisVision shows the UK HealthTech industry can compete at the highest level.

“We are pleased to continue supporting this pioneering business whose technology has the potential to benefit patients globally.”