Funding to help GoCheck advance its pediatric vision screening platform
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GoCheck, creator of the GoCheck Kids platform designed to screen for vision conditions in children at younger ages, announced $10 million in new funding, according to a press release.
The company said the infusion of funding will help it advance its mission of protecting children against vision impairment and blindness.
“We are striving for a future where everyone everywhere can see and fulfill their potential and children, parents and providers are no longer in the dark,” GoCheck CEO Kevon Saber said in the release. “This financing is a step toward this brighter future and a testament to both the massive unmet need for pediatric vision screening and the resolve of GoCheck’s teammates.”
Pediatrician Kody B. Finstad, MD, told Healio/OSN that he began using GoCheck Kids in his practice about 5 years ago after seeing an ad in a medical journal.
“We were looking for a way to increase our efficiency in trying to adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for vision screening, but it was hard to get a 3-year-old to do the Snellen chart,” he said. “The fact that we were able to screen kids at younger ages and move faster so we could get more patients in exam rooms, it was worthwhile.”
GoCheck Kids uses an iPhone camera to perform photoscreening in children at their yearly well visit. The platform detects potential risk factors and makes a referral in less than a minute.
Once he started using the platform, Finstad said he began screening children as young as 1 year of age. By performing the tests every year, he said his office has been able to catch children who need glasses at young ages.
“Families come in and might notice something is wrong,” he said. “I might not see it on my ophthalmoscope, but I can take a picture, and sure enough, we get a flag for some kids with severe myopia at a young age.”
Finstad said the platform gives instantaneous feedback and allows practices to copy the information directly into the medical record. Additionally, it sends the information back to GoCheck for review.
“They can see the images on their end, and if they think they see anything of concern, they will let us know if a child needs a referral,” Finstad said.
Beyond its ability to provide fast screening, Finstad said GoCheck Kids has provided a net benefit to his practice.
“It’s really increased our workflow, and it’s given us an opportunity to bill for these exams,” he said. “So, it’s actually been a positive revenue source for us. It doesn’t hurt us to lease this product, and the families love it. They think it’s cool that it can take a picture of the eyes and know right away whether things are good or bad.”
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