Breakthrough Treatment Restores Vision in Eye of Amblyopia Patient
Previously Classified as Legally Blind
A groundbreaking new treatment is redefining what is possible for those with vision
impairment. A legally blind patient who had severe vision loss in one eye has regained
over 50% of their sight in just a few months thanks to an innovative new therapy. This
cutting-edge approach is challenging traditional methods, offering new hope to millions
affected by lazy eye worldwide. Could this be the future of vision restoration?
Amblyopia, or lazy eye, affects 100 million people worldwide and this number is
expected to double in the next 20 years. Yet, treatments have barely evolved in
decades. Traditional methods like eye patching can take years to show results, and
many patients struggle to complete the treatment. But what if a simple pair of 3D
glasses and advanced software could transform vision therapy in just weeks?
That’s exactly what Amin Rigi, a Motherwell-based tech innovator, has set out to do.
Rigi, known for developing life-saving rescue robots and biosensing medical devices,
is now tackling one of the most overlooked yet widespread vision disorders. His
Scotland-based startup, Eyesight Electronics, has created AmblyoFix, a ground-
breaking lazy eye treatment that merges neuroscience with digital technology,
delivering faster results without the struggles of traditional therapies.
A Family-Driven Mission to Cure Lazy Eye
AmblyoFix was born out of a conversation between Rigi and his father, a respected
ophthalmologist and eye surgeon. “I asked him, ‘What eye condition do you see
most often that, if solved, could help millions?’” Rigi recalls. “His answer was simple,
lazy eye. He told me he sees several cases a day, especially in children, and that
existing treatments are outdated, slow, and some solutions are inaccessible to many
globally.”
Determined to make a difference, Rigi co-founded Eyesight Electronics in 2019
alongside his father, with the entire family contributing to the venture. His brother, a
doctor at Middlesex University Hospital in London, and his mother, a King’s College
graduate, help in medical and clinical aspects of the company. His sister joined as an
intern, while his wife, a solicitor, now supports the startup’s marketing and strategic
growth. What started as a family-driven effort has since evolved into a global company,
backed by a team of expert engineers, game developers, hardware and software
specialists, and designers.
A Faster, More Effective Alternative to Patching and VR Therapies
Unlike traditional eye patching, which forces the brain to rely on the weaker eye by
covering the stronger one, AmblyoFix uses a more advanced neurological approach.
Patients wear specially designed 3D glasses while interacting with digital content on
their computer, allowing both eyes to work together in a controlled way. The software
dynamically adjusts visual input, training the brain to process images correctly and
strengthen the weaker eye, leading to quicker and more effective treatment.
Traditional amblyopia treatments, such as patching and repetitive visual exercises,
have long suffered from low adherence due to their monotonous and isolated-task
approach. While methods like identifying subtly altered visual stimuli through
thousands of repetitions are scientifically validated, they fail to fully engage the brain’s
visual processing networks, limiting long-term effectiveness.
Our approach transforms amblyopia therapy by integrating perceptual learning,
adaptive neuroplasticity-driven difficulty adjustment, and gamification into an
interactive, immersive experience. A key breakthrough is the simultaneous activation
of up to 10 perceptual skills within a single task, enabling different regions of the brain
to work together for improved visual processing. These skills include Visual Sequential
Memory (essential for reading and following instructions), Visual Discrimination
(crucial for recognising objects and faces), and Visual Closure (important for
perceiving incomplete images in daily life, such as recognising a partially obscured
sign or object). By engaging these interconnected cognitive functions, our system
strengthens neural pathways, improving overall visual performance beyond just acuity.
In addition, our real-time adaptive difficulty modulation ensures that tasks dynamically
adjust based on the patient’s progress, optimising engagement without inducing
frustration. This enhances neuroplasticity, accelerating vision recovery while
maintaining high compliance.
By embedding these mechanisms into engaging games and interactive challenges,
our system represents a fundamental shift in amblyopia management, moving from
tedious, single-task exercises to an advanced, neuroscience-driven therapy that
maximises brain connectivity and real-world visual function.
Other modern approaches, such as VR-based lazy eye treatments, require children to
wear bulky headsets for long sessions, which can be uncomfortable, expensive, and
impractical for daily use. Research shows that compliance with patching is only around
50%, meaning half of patients fail to complete their treatment. In contrast, AmblyoFix
is designed to be affordable, engaging, and easy to use at home, increasing the
likelihood of successful therapy completion.
Improving Lazy Eye Therapy with Science and Technology
In a clinical test, a patient with a vision of 6/60 (legally blind in the USA) regained
22% of their vision in just 2.5 weeks. After nine weeks, the improvement reached
40%, and over a 14-week period, the patient regained 52% of their vision which is
a remarkable achievement.
By comparison, a leading VR-based therapy saw only an 18% improvement in the
same timeframe.
VR-based solutions, are expensive and require complete immersion, limiting usability.
VR therapy also has inherent disadvantages, such as motion sickness, visual
discomfort, and limited real-world application, making it unsuitable for extended use.
In contrast, AmblyoFix offers an affordable, non-intrusive, and highly effective
alternative.
This makes AmblyoFix not only a faster and more effective treatment but also a more
affordable and widely accessible solution.
“Our approach is based on cutting-edge neuroscience and perceptual learning,
enhancing the brain’s ability to adapt and process visual information,” Rigi explains.
“Our latest innovations are currently in the patent process, and we also have a granted
patent for convergence eye movement performance. These breakthroughs give us a
distinct advantage over competitors, ensuring the best possible outcomes for
patients.”
AmblyoFix is not only more effective than existing solutions but also significantly more
affordable. VR-based treatments can cost up to $10,000 for a six-month plan, whereas
AmblyoFix delivers treatment for approximately $1,000 over the same period, without
the need for expensive headsets. By combining cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and
proven clinical results, we will revolutionise amblyopia treatment worldwide.
The Urgent Need for New Solutions
The prevalence of lazy eye is rising, with cases expected to increase dramatically by
2050, especially in the US and Europe. The economic burden of untreated vision
impairment is immense, costing billions in lost productivity and healthcare expenses.
Yet, despite the growing urgency, treatment options remain outdated.
Patching, the most common approach, fails to improve 3D vision and depth
perception because it does not train both eyes to work together. As a result, even
patients who complete years of patching may still struggle with depth perception and
visual coordination.
“With millions of people affected and a lack of effective, accessible treatments, we
need to change the way lazy eye is treated,” says Rigi. “We’re not just improving vision,
we’re transforming lives.”
Shaping the Future of Vision Therapy
As Eyesight Electronics pushes forward in revolutionising lazy eye treatment, the
company is seeking strategic partnerships and investors who share its commitment to
transforming lives. Unlike traditional investment opportunities, founder Amin Rigi
makes it clear, this is not about chasing quick profits but about delivering real, lasting
impact for millions affected by Amblyopia worldwide.
“Our goal is to reach as many people as possible so that no one loses their sight to a
treatable condition,” says Rigi. “The future of vision therapy is here, and we welcome
partners, clinicians, investors, and innovators to help bring AmblyoFix to the world.”
Our innovation is protected by one granted US patent for convergence insufficiency
correction and a second pending patent covering the other aspects of the innovative
solution.
Quote from Amin “Our long-term vision is to eliminate preventable vision loss globally.
To support this mission, 20% of our profits will be dedicated to providing free vision
therapy to underserved communities and low-income countries, ensuring that financial
constraints do not prevent access to life-changing treatment.”
Contact Email: info@amblyofix.com
Amblyofix website:
Website: https://amblyofix.com/
Eyesight Electronics Website:
Website: https://eyesightelectronics.com/
Individuals with amblyopia often struggle with:
1. Poor Depth Perception (Stereopsis Impairment)
Binocular vision is essential for judging distances accurately, which is why
individuals with amblyopia often struggle with activities requiring depth perception,
such as catching a ball, pouring liquids, driving, and even simple tasks like stepping
off a curb.
2. Difficulty in Binocular Sports
Sports like football, basketball, tennis, and table tennis rely on 3D vision and spatial
awareness. People with amblyopia often have difficulty tracking fast-moving objects,
leading to poor performance in these sports.
3. Delayed Hand-Eye Coordination
Everyday tasks such as writing, drawing, assembling objects, or using tools may be
more challenging due to impaired coordination between vision and motor control.
4. Visual Fatigue and Eye Strain
Since one eye does most of the work, people with amblyopia often experience eye
strain, headaches, and visual fatigue, particularly when reading or using digital
screens for extended periods.
5. Reading and Learning Difficulties
Reduced contrast sensitivity and poor visual tracking can make reading slower and
more tiring. Children with amblyopia may struggle to follow lines of text efficiently,
affecting academic performance.
6. Reduced Night Vision and Low-Light Adaptation
Amblyopic individuals may have difficulty seeing clearly in dim lighting or adapting to
changes in brightness, making night driving or navigating dark environments more
challenging.
7. Impaired Peripheral Awareness and Spatial Judgment
Individuals may struggle with spatial orientation, making activities like crossing roads
or maneuvering through crowded spaces difficult.
Our project aims to address the multifaceted impacts of amblyopia, commonly known
as “lazy eye”, by providing accessible, effective treatment options. This initiative is
poised to deliver significant social, cultural, educational, and psychological benefits to
individuals and communities.
Social and Cultural Impact: Amblyopia often leads to social isolation, bullying, and
reduced self-esteem among affected individuals. By offering effective treatments, we
aim to enhance social integration and cultural participation, fostering a sense of
belonging and improved quality of life.
Educational Benefits: Untreated amblyopia can impair academic performance due
to visual difficulties. Our project seeks to improve visual acuity, thereby enhancing
learning experiences, classroom engagement, and academic achievements for
children affected by amblyopia.
Psychological Well-being: The stigma associated with visible eye conditions can
adversely affect mental health. By providing effective treatments, we aim to alleviate
psychological distress, boost self-confidence, and promote a positive self-image
among patients.
Sports and Physical Activity: Amblyopia can affect depth perception and 3D vision,
making it challenging for individuals to excel in binocular sports that require accurate
visual coordination, such as football, basketball, and other ball-based games. By
improving vision, we help individuals engage more effectively in these sports, fostering
better physical health, teamwork, and social inclusion.
Community Impact: Addressing amblyopia contributes to healthier communities by
reducing the prevalence of visual impairments. This leads to a more visually capable
population, enhancing community participation and productivity.
More information about the CEO, Amin Rigi
Pars Rescue Drone: Worlds first beach rescue drone built in 2013:
BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24929924
The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/foreign-arrivals-
given-vital-push-when-learning-to-sink-or-swim-qtngcj9q3vd
Vice (Motherboard)-Documentary: https://www.vice.com/en/article/this-iranian-
drone-is-a-better-lifeguard-than-david-hasselhoff/
UK Trade & Investment support and interview:
Other Awards and notable work include:
Scottish Edge Competition Winner (Wild Card)- 2019: For Lazy Eye treatment
solutions
IP Hatch Award Winner 2022: Received a patent from Panasonic in exchange for
shares in Eyesight Electronics ltd.
Awarded 1st prize in Bright Ideas Competition 2017, Kingston University London: For
Railway safety inspection robot.
Awarded 1st prize for biosensor creativity, in the international SensUs 2018: Leading
the team for the detection of dose of vancomycin in blood to prevent super drug
bacterial resistance.
Sirius Programme Winner, Issued by United Kingdom Trade & Investment
Department, London United Kingdom · Aug 2014
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