ClearSight is developing innovative solutions for ophthalmologists that aim to change the standard of care for many patients. Utilizing a micropattern and patented design, the first intraocular lens ClearSight is developing aims to prevent secondary cataract. The second intraocular lens in development utilizes a novel optical system to restore youthful vision.

CBSA Vice President, Michael Crews, asked Kevin Harris, Director of R&D at ClearSight, CBSA’s Key Questions for Life Sciences Innovators.

View the PDF.

Q: Tell us about your company or organization.

A: ClearSight was founded to develop novel intraocular lens-based technologies that improve quality of life for patients by affording superior visual outcomes following cataract surgery and lens replacement. Our team includes a diverse group of ophthalmic, business, engineering, and medical device experts to help realize these technologies.

Q: Describe your team culture. How does your culture shape what your company or organization produces or offers?

A: We are a small team driven to innovate and bring creative solutions to achieve a shared goal—improve the quality of life for cataract surgical patients. To this end, we strive to develop and commercialize innovative devices that fill the most significant unmet needs in the ophthalmology space.

Q: What are you working on right now?

A: Our primary focus currently is on the design, development, and commercialization of an intraocular lens to treat both presbyopia and cataract. The device utilizes a novel refractive system and mechanism of action that has the ability to restore youthful vision to cataract surgical patients and eliminate the need for glasses. Additionally, we are pursuing clinical work on an intraocular lens designed to prevent posterior capsule opacification—one of the most common complications following cataract surgery that results in degraded vision for patients.

Q: How will your work save or change lives?

A: Our solutions will restore vision, increase productivity in the workforce, and improve the quality of life for millions of patients that suffer from presbyopia and cataract. Accelerating population growth in developing countries coupled with the increasing proportionality of individuals entering middle age results in a demand for innovations that can restore a complete range of vision, without the visual artifacts and spectacle dependence associated with current lens replacement solutions.

Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your company or organization?

A: Outside of some vendor and contractor delays, ClearSight has been fortunate enough to maintain fairly close to standard operations through the pandemic. Sufficient laboratory/office space and the team being partially remote have aided in this reduced impact.

Q: CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem because we are #strongertogether. How has being an active participant in our life sciences community supported your success?

A: CBSA’s networking events, trainings, and advocacy for its members and the Colorado life sciences community as a whole have all been important to ClearSight’s development. We are grateful to be a part of this growing community in Colorado. The Fitzsimons Innovation Community has been instrumental to ClearSight’s continued progress. The combination of excellent office/laboratory space, exposure to companies sharing similar goals, and access to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and its resources were all key factors in the decision to choose the Fitzsimons Innovation Community.

View the PDF.

Thank you to our sponsor: