Phelcom Technologies recently participated in the 6th Middle East Ophthalmology Meeting (MEOM), held from October 3rd to 5th in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Recognized as one of the most significant events in the ophthalmology field within the Middle East, MEOM offered a strategic opportunity for Phelcom to solidify its international expansion and bolster its position as a leading competitor in the global ophthalmic device market.

Partnering with its local distributor, Allm MEA, Phelcom aims to strengthen relationships with regional clients and explore new business opportunities.

“The response from local professionals has been overwhelmingly positive. Many emphasized the significant impact of the Eyer portable retinal camera in clinical practice, screening exams and for patients with special needs, those who are bedridden or have physical disabilities. Even for those who don’t use Eyer as their primary equipment, its complementary role in various clinical settings was evident,” says Mário Costa, Phelcom’s International Business Manager.

The Eyer, a portable, non-mydriatic fundus camera that attaches to a smartphone that  performs high-quality retinal examinations in just a few minutes. In addition, Phelcom offers the EyerMaps AI platform, capable of detecting potential retinal abnormalities within seconds.

As an international hub, Dubai attracts professionals not only from the UAE but from across Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. “This allowed us to extend Phelcom’s reach into new markets and unlock future opportunities, including research collaborations and social impact initiatives,” Costa adds.

Phelcom’s booth at MEOM 2024.

Innovation and Development in the Middle East

Dubai is renowned for its dedication to innovation, future-focused thinking, and technological advancement, particularly in healthcare. “From the moment we arrived, we could see the emphasis on cutting-edge technologies and innovative care models. This is a region that highly values tech-driven development, which has fueled its growth. For us, being in an environment that fosters such progress is incredibly enriching,” Costa remarks.

The local culture, with its focus on precision and excellence, aligns perfectly with Phelcom’s values of ensuring top quality across all stages of product development and service delivery. “Our participation in MEOM 2024 not only strengthened Phelcom’s presence in the Middle East but also provided new insights to continue innovating and expanding our global reach,” Costa says.

Representatives of Phelcom and Allm MEA at MEOM 2024.

Eyer expands presence across six coutries

The Eyer was approved for sale in the UAE in the second quarter of last year. Today, Phelcom is active in six countries: Brazil, the United States, Japan, Chile, Colombia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Additionally, Phelcom is in the regulatory approval phase to expand operations into new markets, including Argentina, Mexico, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia.

For Phelcom’s CEO, José Augusto Stuchi, being a Brazilian company operating in key global markets is both a source of pride and a significant responsibility. “Our global expansion enhances our capabilities, but it also reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-quality products that make a meaningful difference in the daily practice of ophthalmology professionals,” he explains.

About Phelcom

Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, São Paulo. The company was founded in 2016 by three young researchers—a physicist, an electronics engineer, and a computer engineer (physics, electronics, computing) —who developed a portable retinal camera integrated into a smartphone.

The first Phelcom prototype was inspired by the personal experience of co-founder Diego Lencione, whose brother struggled with a severe vision condition since childhood. In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product, the Eyer portable retinal camera, in the Brazilian market. Five years later, the company introduced the Eyer2, a comprehensive eye examination platform capable of capturing high-quality images of both the posterior and anterior eye segments. 

To date, Phelcom’s technology has benefited over two million people across Brazil and several other countries, and it has been utilized in over 100 social outreach initiatives.