glaucare develops streamlined, holistic ophthalmological apps that provide numerous patients with access to the necessary medical care

Background information

Glaucoma is a common concern across the globe. Approximately 3% of the European population is affected, and the incidence lies at 1–2%. Older populations are particularly at risk, as the likelihood of developing glaucoma increases significantly starting from the age of 60. Studies have also shown that individuals with darker skin tones contract the disease more frequently than those with lighter skin tones do. Approximately one third of glaucoma patients worldwide do not receive a diagnosis until the disease is at an advanced stage, marked by a drastically reduced field of vision or sight.¹

¹ Source: Leitlinie DOG, BVA:
Risikofaktoren für das Auftreten eines Offenwinkelglaukoms, 21 Jan 2020,
AWMF online

Target markets

Sound estimates place the number of glaucoma patients with visual field impairment at around 65–80 million worldwide. Accordingly, glaucoma is the world’s second leading cause of blindness. The estimated proportion of undetected glaucoma cases ranges from 50% to 90%, depending on the country. Once glaucoma has been detected, proper ophthalmological care and full compliance with prescribed treatments are crucial factors in keeping the illness at bay. Since glaucoma is irreversible, it is imperative that patients continue therapy in order to curb further progression; namely, impairments to the visual field and loss of visual acuity. Given the disease’s global reach, the initial version of the glaucare app will be available in four languages: German, English, Spanish, and French.

Next steps

We are working toward inclusion in the DiGA directory2 so that glaucare can be prescribed by medical professionals. We expect that, in the future, the app will be used in combination with external measurement devices—such as home tonometers, pachymeters, or blood pressure monitors—so that glaucoma patients can easily monitor their illness. Further down the line, we are open to expanding our product range with apps that address other ophthalmological or medical concerns.

2 e-health application directory
maintained by the German Federal
Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices

Our team

Our interdisciplinary team of UI & UX designers, IT specialists, researchers, and doctors has been working together since 2012, when we partnered with Appamedix to develop medical apps. Over the years, our apps have received numerous distinctions for their user-friendliness. We established glaucare GmbH on 25 May 2020. Our goal is to develop and market solutions in the field of ophthalmology.

Friedhelm Kremer
CEO

Johannes Vegt

CDO

Hector Ponce
Automation

Dipl.-Ing. M. Wolf
Medical technology
consultant

Lara Wegener

med. Advisor / Marketing

Caroline Lange
Communication & Marketing

Advisory board

Dr. Ulrike Bona
Radiology and clinical trial

Prof. Dr. med. Carl Erb
Glaucoma expert