Fundus imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring various eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, access to conventional retinal imaging equipment remains limited due to high costs and infrastructure requirements. Additionally, publicly available image datasets for doctors, researchers, and clinicians remain scarce, particularly for images captured with portable fundus cameras.
In this context, portable fundus cameras like the Eyer have emerged as a more accessible and cost-effective solution for eye screening and disease management. Mounted onto a smartphone, the Eyer captures high-quality retinal images in minutes—without requiring pupil dilation.
These devices can be used in a variety of settings beyond hospitals, such as community health screenings and remote telemedicine consultations. Additionally, they record detailed metadata typically unavailable in other datasets, including patient age, sex, diabetes duration, treatments, and comorbidities.
Recently, Scientific Data, a journal from the Nature portfolio, published the article “A portable retina fundus photos dataset for clinical, demographic, and diabetic retinopathy prediction,” introducing mBRSET: the first publicly available diabetic retinopathy dataset captured using handheld fundus cameras in real-world, high-burden environments. Among the authors of the study are ophthalmologist Fernando Korn Malerbi and Phelcom’s CEO, José Augusto Stuchi.
Fundus images captured with Eyer during the Itabuna Diabetes Campaign, held in 2022, highlighting the attention map generated by EyerMaps, indicating possible anomalies.
mBRSET: A Groundbreaking Dataset
mBRSET consists of 5,164 from 1,291 patients of diverse backgrounds, all captured with the Eyer device during the 2022 Itabuna Diabetes Campaign in Bahia. Recognized as one of the world’s largest diabetes prevention and treatment initiatives, this campaign provides hundreds of patients with vital screenings—such as fundus examinations—and referrals for specialized treatment.
Exam performed with Eyer during the Itabuna Diabetes Campaign, held in 2022.
To validate the utility of mBRSET, state-of-the-art deep learning models were trained for benchmarking, demonstrating high accuracy in diagnosing diabetic retinopathy and macular edema, as well as predicting demographic data.
An analysis of 4,885 assessed images revealed that 3,759 images (76.79%) showed no signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR), 272 images (5.56%) indicated mild non-proliferative DR, 570 images (11.64%) exhibited moderate non-proliferative DR, 82 images (1.67%) showed severe non-proliferative DR, 427 images (8.69%) displayed signs of macular edema.
A Milestone for Ocular Health and Scientific Research
The significance of the mBRSET dataset can be outlined in 5 key aspects:
Representing Brazil’s Diverse Population
mBRSET helps reduce the underrepresentation of low- and middle-income country (LMIC) populations in ophthalmological datasets by including individuals from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in Brazil.
The First Public Dataset with Portable Camera Images
This is the first publicly available dataset featuring images captured with portable fundus cameras, reflecting the increasing adoption of this technology in resource-limited settings.
Data Collection in Real-World, High-Demand Environments
Images were captured in high-volume clinical settings, ensuring the dataset accurately represents real-world challenges in eye disease screening and management.
Inclusion of Detailed Demographic Data
mBRSET goes beyond retinal images, incorporating information such as gender, education level, and health insurance status. This enables researchers to evaluate AI algorithm performance across different subpopulations.
A Foundation for AI Development in Ophthalmology
This dataset serves as a critical resource for training and validating AI algorithms, fostering advancements in automated screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions.
Phelcom CEO José Augusto Stuchi emphasizes the dataset’s impact on the scientific and medical communities:
“The creation of this mBRSET marks a significant milestone in ocular health, particularly for regions with limited resources. By providing high-quality images captured with portable devices, we expand research opportunities and accelerate the development of AI-driven solutions that can revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.”
Diego Lencione, co-founder and CTO of Phelcom, Flavio Pascoal Vieira, co-founder and COO of Phelcom, Paulo Prado, coordinator of Mobile Software and AI at Phelcom, and José Augusto Stuchi, co-founder and CEO of Phelcom, during the Itabuna Diabetes Campaign, held in 2022.
Eyer
The Eyer is a portable fundus camera that attaches to a smartphone, enabling high-quality retina exams in just minutes—without the need for pupil dilation.
The technology supports the diagnosis of more than 50 diseases, including: glaucoma, cataracts, diabectic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, hypertensive retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, ocular toxoplasmosis.
Recently, Phelcom launched Eyer2, an enhanced version of the device featuring new built-in tools for expanded diagnostic capabilities. In addition to posterior eye imaging, Eyer2 enables the detection of anterior segment conditions such as: blepharitis and other eyelash abnormalities, meibomian gland dysfunction, styes, conjunctival and eyelid tumors, advanced cataracts, foreign bodies and burns, corneal injuries, keratitis caused by dry eye, contact lenses, infections and ulcers.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, São Paulo. Founded in 2016 by three young researches—a physicist, an electronics engineer, and a computer engineer—the company developed a portable retinal camera integrated with a smart phone.
The first prototype was inspired by co-founder Diego Lencione’s personal experience, as his brother struggled with a severe vision condition from childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product, the Eyer portable retinal camera, in Brazil. Five years later, the company introduced theEyer2, a comprehensive eye examination platform capable of capturing high-quality images of both the posterior and anterior segments.
To date, Phelcom’s technology has benefited over two million people across Brazil and multiple countries, including the United States, Japan, Chile, Colombia and the United Arab Emirates. It has also been used in over 100 social outreach initiatives.
The year 2024 was a milestone of significant achievements and progress for Phelcom Technologies. With new product launches, technological advancements, and impactful social initiatives, the company reinforced its dedication to revolutionizing ophthalmology through innovation and accessibility.
From the launch of Eyer2, a visual examination platform that has set a new quality standard for portable fundus imaging, to the upgrade of EyerCloud, designed to enhance the user experience, Phelcom has consistently demonstrated it’s commitment to pioneering efficient and integrated solutions.
Initiatives like the “Eyes to the Future” competition and the 6th Brazil Eyer Insights showcased the company’s social and educational impact, advancing eye health and supporting professional development across Brazil.
Discover this year’s highlights and how Phelcom continues to expand its innovative technology beyond national borders, striving for a future with improved eye care for all.
Eyer2 launch
The launch took place simultaneously at the North-Northeast Ophthalmology Congress (CNNO), in Maceió (AL), and at Refrativa R.I.O 2024, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Three months after its debut in Brazil, Eyer2 was presented at Optometry’s Meeting in the United States.
In March, Phelcom launched Eyer2 in Brazil, an advanced platform for visual examinations that allows for high quality imaging of both the posterior and anterior segment.
The new equipment offers color, red-free and infrared fundus imaging with a 55º field of view along with tools for capturing images of the anterior segment. These include various light modes for examining the ocular and periocular surfaces, detecting corneal lesions with cobalt blue light and performing meibography using infrared light.
The launch took place simultaneously at the North-Northeast Ophthalmology Congress (CNNO), in Maceió (AL), and at Refrativa R.I.O 2024, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
“The Eyer 2 represents a new concept in portable equipment. With this product, we aim to strengthen our position of excellence in the market, reach a greater number of doctors and cover various areas of ophthalmology. In this way, we can have a positive impact on the vision of more people, thus fulfilling our mission as a company,” said Phelcom’s Co-Founder and CTO, Diego Lencione, during the launch.
Three months after its debut in Brazil, Eyer2 was introduced to the international market at Optometry’s Meeting in the United States, highlighting Phelcom’s dedication to extending innovation beyond national borders.
2nd Eyes on the Future
The launch featured prominent attendees, including ABLAO’S President Pedro Pires, Outreach Director Augusto César, Phelcom’s Co-Founder and CEO José Augusto Stuchi, and Fernando Penha, a retinologist and professor of Ophthalmology at FURB.
In August, the second edition of the “Eyes to the Future” competition was officially launched, organized by the Brazilian Association of Academic Ophthalmology Leagues (ABLAO) in partnership with Phelcom Technologies and with the support of the Brazilian Ophthalmology Council (CBO).
The competition selected 10 projects focused on reducing blindness caused by posterior segment pathology through fundus examinations, telemedicine and artificial intelligence. To support the participants, Phelcom provided 20 Eyer portable fundus cameras, complete with access to the EyerMaps and EyerCloud platforms.
In addition to improving the diagnosis of retinal pathology and patient referrals, the competition seeks to enhance undergraduate ophthalmology education, foster creativity and volunteerism, promote hands-on practice, develop management and project creation skills and encourage the adoption of new technology for medical education and health advancement.
The winners will be awarded during the ABLAO session at the Moacyr Álvaro International Symposium (SIMASP) on February 22nd in São Paulo. The winning project will receive an Eyer from Phelcom and an invitation to present the project at the ABLAO session at the Brazilian Ophthalmology Congress (CBO) 2025. The second and third place winners will also each receive an Eyer.
6th Brazil Eyer Insights
The sixth edition discussed the topic “Photodocumentation in Ophthalmology: from fundus image to oculoplastics”.
In October, Phelcom held the 6th Eyer Insights, a series of free webinars that brings together renowned experts to debate relevant topics in ophthalmology.
This edition’s theme, “Photodocumentation in Ophthalmology: From fundus image to Oculoplastics,” emphasized the practical use of Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras in documenting clinical cases. The event highlighted how fundus imaging, meibography, and anterior segment documentation serve as indispensable tools for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and improving doctor-patient communication.
The panel of speakers included renowned professionals such as:
Eduardo Marback, ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, ocular oncology and ocular pathology; PhD from Unifesp and adjunct professor of ophthalmology at UFBA.
Paulo Schor, ophthalmologist specializing in lens implant surgery and ocular lasers; associate professor at Unifesp and innovation manager at Fapesp.
Simone Milani Brandão, ophthalmologist specializing in ocular plastic surgery and lacrimal pathways; PhD in general bases of surgery from the Botucatu Medical School – Unesp and lecturer at UFSCar.
Diego Lencione, Co-Founder & CTO of Phelcom Technologies.
Amanda Arthur, Marketing and Sales Director at Phelcom Technologies.
The panel highlighted how Phelcom’s innovative technologies have expanded diagnostic possibilities in ophthalmology, offering more efficiency and precision in eye care.
New EyerCloud launched
EyerCloud is an online platform developed to optimize the management of ophthalmic exams, offering more security, efficiency and practicality to ophthalmologists and healthcare professionals.
In November, Phelcom unveiled the upgraded EyerCloud, an advanced online platform for managing ophthalmic examinations performed with the Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras. Featuring significant improvements in data security, accessibility, and design, the new version enhances the user experience, streamlines workflow, and accelerates diagnoses, catering to the needs of doctors and healthcare professionals.
Key updates to EyerCloud include the ability to view exams in either a gallery or list format, simplified editing fields and a refreshed design featuring more prominent buttons and intuitive navigation. Additionally, users can now conveniently register patients and link exams directly through the platform.
“We applied the new design language already present in Eyer2, unifying the Eyercloud interface with that of the device. Our aim is to offer an equally efficient and agile user experience on both platforms”, explains Phelcom’s marketing consultant and product designer, Edgard Regolão Junior.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, the interior of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (Physics, Electronics, Computing) – created a fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
Phelcom’s first prototype was inspired by the personal experience of one of the partners, Diego Lencione, whose brother faced a serious condition that severely compromised his vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product to the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Five years later, it launched the Eyer2, a visual examination platform that makes it possible to document the posterior and anterior segments with high quality images.
Today, Phelcom’s technology has benefited more than two million people worldwide, and has also been used in more than 100 social projects.
In November, Phelcom launched an upgraded version of Eyercloud, the online platform for managing ophthalmic examinations conducted using Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras. With significant advancements in data security, accessibility and design, the new version enhances the user experience, streamlines processes, and accelerates diagnoses, effectively meeting the needs of doctors and healthcare professionals.
Key updates in the new Eyercloud include the ability to view exams in grid or list format, simplified editing fields, and a refreshed design with more visible buttons and intuitive navigation. Additionally, users can now register patients and associate exams directly through the platform.
“We applied the new design language already present in Eyer2, unifying the Eyercloud interface with that of the device. Our aim is to offer an equally efficient and agile user experience on both platforms”, explains Phelcom’s marketing consultant and product designer, Edgard Regolão Junior.
Junior also emphasizes one of the key enhancements: the immediate display of retinal images on the homepage. “When the user accesses the platform, they can see the latest images and exams taken. This facilitates the quick analysis of the verification and classification already done by EyerMaps. This artificial intelligence detects possible abnormalities in seconds and displays a heatmap on the images. This feature speeds up the identification of alterations and allows professionals to make faster and more accurate diagnoses,” he adds.
Accessibility and security
Enhanced navigation is one of the most significant changes in EyerCloud. The platform is now simpler and faster to access, requiring fewer clicks and eliminating unnecessary steps. Additionally, data entry has been streamlined, allowing users to add, edit, and save information more intuitively and efficiently, making the tool more user-friendly for everyday use.
“The system has also been updated to enhance security, ensuring compliance with information and data protection regulations.,” says Phelcom’s Data Engineering Manager, Fernando Mineo Raze Yamanaka.
All the information stored on EyerCloud is protected by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a world reference in cloud solutions. The platform also strictly follows HIPAA guidelines (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), guaranteeing maximum data protection and reliability.
Continuous improvement and customer support
EyerCloud facilitates communication with patients by displaying and sharing exams in a clear and accessible way.
Customers who have questions or suggestions can count on Phelcom’s support for quick and efficient assistance.
Yamanaka explains that the company keeps an organized list of user feedback and requests, prioritizing the most requested improvements to optimize the platform’s ongoing development. “We will continue to invest in improvements following this feedback. EyerCloud will become increasingly dynamic, with new features, filters and search methods to make it even easier for professionals to work with it”.
EyerCloud: safe and efficient management of ophthalmic exams
EyerCloud is an online platform designed to streamline the management of ophthalmic exams, delivering enhanced security, efficiency and convenience. Featuring an intuitive and user-friendly interface, the system enables seamless storage and sharing of exams and reports conducted with the Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras. Automatic synchronization ensures data is securely uploaded to the cloud, offering both reliability and accessibility.
This integration streamlines the workflow for healthcare professionals by ensuring exams are always accessible, well-organized, and securely protected. It also facilitates swift communication and efficient monitoring of results.
Discover the advantages of EyerCloud:
Connectivity
The platform is easily accessible via an Eyer or Eyer2 device, smartphone, tablet or computer. Even without an internet connection, exams are automatically saved and seamlessly uploaded to the cloud once internet connection is restored. Additionally, EyerCloud is fully compatible with leading electronic medical record systems, enabling smooth integration into the workflow of clinics and hospitals.
Artificial Inteligence
When integrated with EyerMaps, EyerCloud displays exams using a color-coded system to identify potential alterations, simplifying the prioritization of urgent cases:
Green: low probability of alteration (up to 30%).
Yellow: medium probability of alteration (31% to 70%).
Red: high probability of alteration (71% to 100%).
Transparency
Facilitate communication with patients by displaying and sharing exams in a clear and accessible way. EyerCloud enhances understanding of diagnoses and treatment progress, fostering greater patient trust and engagement.
Mobility
With EyerCloud, healthcare professionals can carry out examinations in the field while ophthalmologists report remotely, from anywhere in the world. This flexibility extends the reach of ophthalmic services and speeds up care.
One of the main improvements in the new EyerCloud is the immediate display of retinal images on the home page.
Security
The data stored in EyerCloud is protected by Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, guaranteeing maximum security and compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). In addition, the platform allows you to manage different levels of access, ensuring that each professional only sees the information they need.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, the interior of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (Physics, Electronics, Computing) – created a fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
Phelcom’s first prototype was inspired by the personal experience of one of the partners, Diego Lencione, whose brother faced a serious condition that severely compromised his vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product to the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Five years later, it launched the Eyer2, a visual examination platform that makes it possible to document the posterior and anterior segments with high quality images.
Today, Phelcom’s technology has benefited more than two million people worldwide, and has also been used in more than 100 social projects.
Minutes. This is the average time that the Brazilian client, who value immediate feedback, wait for Phelcom’s customer support department to solve technical issues, clarify doubts, request support materials or schedule training.
In other countries, even if the customer usually prefers a different approach, requesting support via email, agility is still Phelcom’s trademark. “Normally, the foreign clients don’t call us as soon as the problem appears, but when they have time between their appointments.” explains Phelcom’s customer support analyst, Leonardo Chagas Pizzo.
To guarantee this agility, Phelcom chose to have its own local team in Brazil. “Unlike other services, our clients don’t wait in digital lines. We’re here to solve their problems quickly and try to reduce the bureaucracy”, says Phelcom’s technical support, Hygor Nunes.
As a result, the team has developed a close relationship with many clients. “Today, we are able to identify each person’s profile, being able to serve them in a personalized way, according to their necessities”, explains Phelcom’s customer support coordinator, Rodrigo Cabrera.
Phelcom’s customer support team in Brazil
Trainings
After purchasing a Phelcom Technologies product, the support customer team gets in touch to schedule online training on how to use the equipment and its on board technologies, such as the online exam management platform, EyerCloud and the artificial intelligence system EyerMaps, that accurately detects various changes in the retina.
“Eyer is a multifunctional fundus camera that offers a variety of features and it’s important to train our clients to make the most of all the device’s functionalities.”, says Phelcom’s customer support intern, Pablo Sathler.
However, training is optional. “We make our schedule available so that the client can choose the best day and time for them. Besides that, we also ask for at least two people to be present so that they can have the experience of making images with each other, aligning possible doubts about use.”, emphasizes Phelcom’s customer support analyst, Tatiane Fragalli.
Cabrera explains that, in addition to the initial training, clients can take as many courses as they wish during the one-year Eyer warranty period. “Often, clients want to ask questions about how to edit images or configure circuits, for example. So we prepare customized training courses according to their needs.”
Phelcom also continuously makes educational and support materials available to answer the most frequently asked questions, such as folders, videos in the form of information pills and infographics with detailed guidelines and practical tips to maximize the use of Eyer. To get access, just contact the Customer Support department via email support@phelcom.com.
For technical support, Phelcom uses a communication system for opening tickets directly on this link: phelcom.com/servicecenter, which guarantees more agility and transparency.
Tatiane Fragalli provides online training on how to handle the Eyer family of products.
Eyer
Eyer supports the diagnosis of more than 50 diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, AMD, ROP, retinoblastoma, hypertensive retinopathy and ocular toxoplasmosis. Currently, more than 10 million tests have been carried out in Brazil, the United States, Chile, Colombia and Japan.
It was recently approved in the United Arab Emirates and is in the regulatory process of being marketed in Mexico, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Portability, connectivity and integration with intelligent functions such as EyerMaps, together with the technology’s affordability, are contributing to increased access to retinal examinations.
Phelcom recently launched Eyer2, a portable fundus and eye camera that offers high-quality images of the posterior and anterior segments.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, in the interior area of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (physics, electronics, computing) – created a portable fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
The first prototype project was born out of partner Diego Lencione’s interest in visual health, as his brother has had a condition that has severely compromised his retina and vision since childhood.
Doctor Iddi Ndyabawe, ophthalmologist and a passionate ROP specialist in Uganda, East Africa, was responsible for the very first ROP study in the country, published by BMC Ophthalmology in 2023. He’s currently involved in Adult Retina services as well, working in a screening project for diagnosing CMV Retinitis in HIV patients with meningitis admitted at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital. He also offers Diabetic Retinopathy screening services to private patients at Kisubi Hospital.
Dr Iddi in the Aravind Eye Hospital Library, Coimbatore India
Dr. Iddi got to know about the Eyer Retinal Camera in February 2023, when Nurse Nancy Maria Douat Dietrich from Santa Catarina, Brazil came along with the high quality images device and joined the ROP screening activities at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.
“When Nancy saw my passion for ROP in Uganda, she communicated with Mr. Jose Augusto, CEO of Phelcom, who then sent me an Eyer Fundus camera by June 2023 as a support for my humble efforts in ROP “, recalls Dr. Iddi.
Dr Iddi training in laser therapy for ROP on an eye model
Dr. Iddi crossing the flooded roads to reach the village NICU to conduct ROP screening
According to Dr. Iddi, the main advantages of the Eyer Fundus Camera for his medical practice are:
Eyer takes clear resolution images for best diagnosis of posterior disease;
It is perfect at CDR assessment;
Eyer can easily pick out the hyperemic disc in optic neuritis that could easily be missed;
EyerMaps heat map is perfect in pointing where the clinician should pay more attention.
Dr. Iddi mentions as well that the portability and non-mydriatic use of Eyer Fundus Camera, which allows him to perform examinations in different scenarios. He recalls one particular Sunday when a relative came in complaining of reduced vision. He was able to discover a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis right there in his own home.
About the Eyer
Eyer Portable Fundus Camera
The Eyer is a portable fundus camera that works in conjunction with a smartphone and performs high-quality retinal examinations in a few minutes without the need for pupil dilation.
The technology supports the diagnosis of more than 50 diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, AMD, retinoblastoma, hypertensive retinopathy and ocular toxoplasmosis. Currently, more than 10 million tests have been carried out in Brazil, the United States, Chile and Colombia.
The technology’s portability and affordability democratize access to retinal examinations. It costs approximately six times less than a conventional tabletop fundus camera, which still needs to be integrated with a computer.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, in the interior area of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (physics, electronics, computing) – created a portable fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
The idea for the first prototype was realized by Diego Lencione’s interest in visual health, as his brother has had a condition that has severely compromised his retina and vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product on the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Today, the technology has reached more than two million people across Brazil and worldwide.
In four years, the company has participated in more than 100 social actions and was recently named one of the 10 most innovative companies in Brazil by Forbes.
As a child, Phelcom’s Co-Founder and CTO Diego Lencione dreamed of becoming an ophthalmologist. His goal was to help people who suffered from retinal and vision impairment like his older brother, Welber Lencione.
Welber was diagnosed with high myopia when he was seven months old. During his childhood, it reached 17 degrees. The main difficulty with the disease is being able to see distant objects clearly. However, for those with high degrees of myopia, the symptoms are even more serious and have a significant impact on quality of life.
At school, seeing the small print on the blackboard was a real challenge for Welber. “For me to be able to see well, I have to get very close to my cell phone, computer or television. Without my glasses, I can’t even leave the house”, he explains.
High myopia can cause a series of eye complications and significant damage to vision. At the age of 11, Welber suffered retinal detachment in both eyes. At the time, he was admitted to the hospital for two months for treatment.
At 18 years old, he had another episode of retinal detachment, also in both eyes. However, laser surgery was available and he returned home the same day. Since then, he has had no further complications and his myopia has dropped to 11 degrees. “All this has matured me a lot. In the end, time goes by and things settle down”, he reflects.
Welber currently has a productive life full of achievements. He works as a security guard at the University of São Paulo (USP) for 18 years, has a 12 year old son named Andrew, is a regular reader and recently became a marathon runner.
Welber Lencione during a competition
Running
Welber says he has always loved sports. Seven years ago, he started running. “I don’t have any difficulties related to my eyesight. I feel 100% myself when I run”.
The athlete has been taking part in competitions in and around São Carlos (SP) for three years. To prepare, he trains in his own neighborhood, day in and day out, in the company of some colleagues. In January, he achieved something he never had before: he completed a marathon in Ribeirão Preto (SP).
Welber finished the last 100 meters of the Ribeirão Preto Marathon alongside his son, Andrew.
Welber reveals that he wants to do it again, but in the famous “São Silvestre International Race”, which takes place every year on December 31st in the city of São Paulo. The obstacle? “It’s a very bad date,” he jokes.
Inspiration
During Welber’s first surgery, Diego was four years old. He had to spend days away from his beloved brother and his mother, who stayed with her firstborn for two months in the hospital.
Throughout his childhood and adolescence, Diego followed his brother’s journey: “When I grew up, life took me into other areas and I ended up studying Physics. At university, I specialized in optics and, before I knew it, I was already working in research and development of ophthalmic equipment,” Diego recalls.
Phelcom’s Co-Founder and CTO, Diego Lencione, with his brother, Welber Lencione.
This gave rise to Phelcom and the idea of creating Eyer -a portable fundus camera that aims to help combat severe visual impairment and blindness. The first tests performed with the first prototypes were on Welber’s eyes. “It was an unforgettable moment. We created something that allowed us to clearly see the changes in his retina and that it would soon be useful for many other people as well. Many times throughout Phelcom’s history, I’ve found myself returning to this time, especially in the company’s most difficult moments”, he reveals.
His brother continues to be a source of inspiration for Diego. Recently, the youngest brother performed a new retinal examination on Welber with the help of EyerMaps, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that runs on board Eyer and detects any suspected retinal abnormalities with high accuracy.
The AI pointed to the presence of something new in the back of Welber’s eye. “My brother even suspected a new retinal detachment. But with further tests, the ophthalmologist concluded that it was a kind of membrane that had grown there and that it didn’t affect his vision”, he says, relieved.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, in the interior area of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (physics, electronics, computing) – created a portable fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
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