Topcon Healthcare has acquired Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems (IRIS), a cloud-based retinal screening technology company, in a strategic move to expand its artificial intelligence portfolio and strengthen diabetic retinopathy screening capabilities. The acquisition integrates IRIS's AI-powered screening technology into Topcon's Healthcare from the Eye initiative, designed to enhance clinical decision-making for patients with diabetic retinopathy and other diabetic eye diseases.
Expanding Connected Care Infrastructure
The IRIS acquisition supports Topcon's vision of a connected care model that enables early identification of patients at risk of ocular disease during primary care provider (PCP) appointments. This approach facilitates directional care coordination between PCPs and eye care providers (ECPs), allowing at-risk patients to be quickly referred to specialists following primary care visits.
Using AI-analyzed ocular data, optometrists and ophthalmologists can screen for signs of systemic or neurological disease and, when necessary, refer patients back to primary care for further evaluation. This bidirectional referral system aims to close gaps in the continuum of care while improving patient outcomes.
Platform Integration and Capabilities
The acquisition will strengthen Topcon's cloud-based connected care platform, Harmony, which is designed to unify imaging, clinical insights, and AI analytics across care settings. Following the integration, Harmony users will gain access to IRIS's referral and communication capabilities, supporting infrastructure for robust shared clinical decision-making and improved patient adherence.
The IRIS platform operates as a camera-agnostic, cloud-based model for AI-assisted diabetic retinopathy screening. Since its founding in 2012, IRIS has enabled more than 1.8 million screenings and identified over 279,000 cases of diabetic retinopathy throughout more than 650 healthcare organizations. The platform's seamless electronic medical record integration and broad camera compatibility maximize scalability for providers across different environments, including routine clinical settings, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and larger health systems.
Strategic Vision and Impact
Jacques Gilbert, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer at Topcon Healthcare, emphasized the acquisition's alignment with the company's long-term strategy. "This acquisition reflects our long-term strategy to connect the continuum of care through intelligent platforms that bring together data, workflow, and real-time decision support," Gilbert said. "IRIS enables us to expand the reach of the Healthcare from the Eye initiative into primary care, strengthening coordination between PCPs and ECPs, and ensuring patients receive timely, targeted care."
Steven Martin, CEO at IRIS, highlighted the potential for expanded impact through the partnership. "With Topcon Healthcare's investment in connected care infrastructure, we're well-positioned to expand our impact. Together, we'll ensure providers of all sizes can confidently deliver preventive screenings that improve outcomes and reduce disparities," Martin said.
The acquisition positions Topcon to address the growing need for accessible diabetic retinopathy screening while leveraging AI technology to improve quality scores and address care gaps across diverse healthcare settings.
