Toku’s AI-powered solutions utilize advanced ophthalmic imaging to provide rapid assessments of key health indicators, explains CEO Ehsan Vaghefi.
INVISION: Are independent optometry practices already using Toku’s AI platforms, or is this an opportunity you’re actively developing — and how can independent eyecare businesses become part of this new front-line role in holistic patient care?
EHSAN VAGHEFI: Independent optometrists (alongside several corporate retail optometry brands) are increasingly adopting Toku’s BioAge technology, which is demonstrably yielding significant benefits. Recognizing the critical role of these independent practices, we will be announcing on July 1 a strategic initiative tailored specifically to their needs, designed to enhance their patient care capabilities and expand their service offerings.
Our product suite, encompassing BioAge (currently available) and CLAiR (anticipated for release in early 2026, subject to FDA approval), is engineered for seamless integration into daily optometric practice. These solutions utilize advanced ophthalmic imaging to provide rapid assessments of key health indicators. BioAge and CLAiR empower optometrists to furnish patients with insights into their cardiovascular health and biological age, thereby facilitating comprehensive patient management and establishing their practices as primary points of contact for holistic health evaluation.
Through the utilization of BioAge and CLAiR, optometrists transcend conventional vision correction. These innovative diagnostic tools facilitate a comprehensive assessment of systemic health, encompassing vascular integrity, metabolic function, and the influence of lifestyle factors. This expanded scope of service delivery significantly augments the value proposition for patients and positions optometrists as pivotal agents in preventative healthcare. Consequently, patient trust and engagement are enhanced, and practices are recognized as leaders in integrated healthcare provision.
As proud members of the American Heart Association Innovator’s Network, we advocate for interprofessional collaboration between optometrists and other healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, cardiologists, and registered dietitians. Our technologies facilitate such collaboration by enabling early detection of potential health anomalies. This enables timely referrals to appropriate specialists, ensuring patients receive coordinated, multidisciplinary care.
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Furthermore, our solutions present opportunities for patient education regarding the systemic implications of ocular health. The objective data generated by BioAge and CLAiR serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue, enabling optometrists to engage in comprehensive discussions with patients about their health status and therapeutic objectives. By elucidating the principles of holistic wellness and the integral role of ocular health, optometrists can empower patients to actively manage their long-term health outcomes, thereby reinforcing their standing as authoritative healthcare advisors.
INVISION: How does (or will) your platforms help ODs move beyond vision correction, turning routine retinal imaging into an early-warning tool for serious systemic diseases that patients might otherwise miss?
VAGHEFI: Complementing BioAge, CLAiR offers a specialized focus on cardiovascular risk assessment, leveraging the power of retinal imaging to detect telltale signs of key risk factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, and the early stages of atherosclerosis. This non-invasive methodology provides a convenient and efficient means of obtaining real-time assessments of a patient’s cardiovascular health during a routine eye examination. By analyzing the intricate network of blood vessels in the retina, CLAiR can identify subtle anomalies and patterns indicative of elevated cardiovascular risk, offering a valuable tool for early identification and risk stratification. This allows for timely lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and closer monitoring, potentially mitigating the risk of future cardiovascular events.
The synergistic integration of BioAge and CLAiR into optometric practice presents a paradigm shift in the delivery of healthcare. Optometrists, equipped with these advanced diagnostic tools, can seamlessly incorporate comprehensive health assessments into routine eye exams, thereby enhancing the value proposition of their services and solidifying their position as pivotal players in the broader healthcare ecosystem, particularly in the realm of preventive medicine. Patients stand to benefit immensely from this integrated approach, gaining access to early detection of potentially serious systemic and cardiovascular conditions through a convenient and non-invasive procedure. This early awareness facilitates timely interventions, personalized management plans, and ultimately, the potential for significantly improved health trajectories and reduced healthcare burdens.
Recognizing the importance of seamless adoption, our platforms, BioAge and CLAiR, have been meticulously designed for effortless integration with a wide range of existing retinal imaging equipment commonly found in optometric practices. This plug-and-play compatibility minimizes the need for substantial capital investment or disruptive changes to established clinical workflows. Furthermore, the underlying AI-driven analysis engines ensure rapid and accurate processing of retinal images, generating actionable insights that are readily available to the optometrist during the patient visit. This immediate feedback loop empowers informed clinical decision-making and facilitates effective patient communication regarding their overall health status.
By embracing BioAge and CLAiR, optometrists can transcend the traditional boundaries of vision correction and expand their scope of practice to encompass holistic health assessments. This expanded role not only serves to differentiate their practice within a competitive landscape but also unlocks new avenues for revenue generation through comprehensive health screenings and enhanced patient engagement. The ability to offer a broader range of services fosters increased patient loyalty and positions the optometrist as a trusted partner in their patients’ overall well-being.
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To ensure the successful implementation and ongoing utilization of our technologies, we are committed to providing comprehensive onboarding programs, support and readily accessible resources for optometrists and their staff. These educational initiatives are designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge necessary to effectively interpret the results generated by BioAge and CLAiR, communicate these findings to patients in a clear and understandable manner, and integrate these insights into their overall patient management strategies. Furthermore, we remain dedicated to continuous innovation and will keep our partner optometrists informed about the latest advancements and clinical applications of our technologies, empowering them to continually enhance their practice and deliver the highest standard of patient care.
INVISION: What are the practical steps or requirements for an independent practice to integrate Toku’s technology, and how do (or will) you support them in delivering this added layer of preventive care?
VAGHEFI: As the CEO of Toku Eyes, I’m excited to share how independent optometry practices can integrate our technology and how we support them in delivering enhanced preventive care.
We’ve designed the integration process with independent optometrists front of mind – simple, flexible, and fully supported. We know these practices are often running lean teams with limited time, so it was important to us that getting started with BioAge doesn’t add complexity or disrupt existing patient workflows.
From July 1, independent optometrists will be able to join the waitlist to receive early access to BioAge. Independent practices operating up to 25 clinics in approved regions will be the first to gain access and will be able to use BioAge with one of the supported retinal cameras from Topcon, Canon or Optos.
Once approved, they’ll be guided through the setup process online, starting with entering a few details about each clinic. Behind the scenes, Toku takes care of the technical work, including integrating with their optometry software of choice – OptosAdvance, Topcon Harmony or Toku’s own cloud-based management platform.
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Once setup is complete, independent optometrists and their staff are supported with self-guided onboarding videos, how-to guides, plus patient-facing materials and educational resources. The goal is to make it easy to explain BioAge to their patients and incorporate it into their conversations about long-term health – just like they do today when discussing vision or eye health.
From the optometrist’s perspective, it’s a natural extension of what they already do. Retinal images are captured as usual then uploaded to BioAge through their optometry software. In less than 30 seconds, a BioAge result and report is returned. After the consultation, patients receive a follow-up email with access to their results, encouraging them to take ownership of their health and take the next step if needed.
We’re proud to partner with Optos and Topcon to bring this offering to life – and even prouder to support the independent optometry community in expanding their role in preventive healthcare. This is about enabling them to do more with what they already have – and to do it with confidence.
INVISION: What kind of patient outcomes or success stories have you seen that show how optometrists can alert patients to serious health risks long before symptoms appear?
VAGHEFI: Our upcoming announcement on July 1 will further enhance access to our technology for independent optometrists, making it even easier to integrate these life-saving tools into their practices. Early detection of systemic diseases through routine eye exams offers a powerful opportunity for preventive healthcare. Our innovative BioAge technology empowers optometrists to go beyond traditional vision care and identify hidden health risks in their patients, even before the onset of noticeable symptoms.
Consider the case of a patient with a family history of diabetes, a known risk factor, yet no personal diagnosis. During a standard eye examination, the optometrist utilized BioAge to analyze the intricate details within the patient’s retinal images. The resulting poor BioAge indicators prompted a more in-depth investigation. The trained eye of the optometrist, guided by the BioAge analysis, discerned subtle, early signs indicative of diabetic retinopathy. This crucial observation led to a timely referral for further medical evaluation. Ultimately, the patient received a diagnosis of early-stage diabetes.
In another instance, a middle-aged patient presented for a routine vision check. As part of their comprehensive assessment, the optometrist employed BioAge to evaluate the patient’s overall health through their retinal scan. The BioAge scores indicated a cause for concern, leading the optometrist to conduct further examinations. These investigations revealed previously undetected signs of hypertension, or high blood pressure. Remarkably, the patient had experienced no prior symptoms and had no existing diagnosis of this common yet serious condition. Based on the optometrist’s astute observations and informed recommendation, the patient consulted their primary care physician.
Our advanced technologies, like BioAge, enable the detection of subtle indicators of serious systemic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, various stages of diabetes, and hypertension, often years before traditional symptoms manifest or a diagnosis would typically occur. This early visibility into a patient’s health status is paramount for effective intervention.
By identifying these potential health risks, optometrists are ideally positioned to provide timely and informed referrals to appropriate medical specialists. These early referrals are critical in enabling patients to receive prompt diagnosis and begin treatment in the early stages of a disease, dramatically improving their chances of better long-term health outcomes and potentially preventing disease progression and severe complications.
By offering comprehensive health assessments that extend beyond vision correction, optometrists can build stronger, more trusting relationships with their patients. Demonstrating a commitment to their overall well-being, not just their vision, fosters greater patient loyalty and encourages proactive engagement in their healthcare. Patients appreciate the added value and thoroughness of care they receive.
We understand that integrating new technologies and approaches into a busy practice requires support. Therefore, we are dedicated to providing optometrists with the resources they need to confidently and effectively incorporate preventive health assessments into their patient care protocols.
We support them with:
- Training and Resources: We offer comprehensive onboarding programs designed to equip optometrists and their staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively utilize our technologies and interpret the results. These programs cover the scientific basis of our assessments, practical guidance on integrating them into the workflow, and best practices for communicating findings to patients. We also provide ongoing access to a wealth of resources, including guides, articles, and webinars, to ensure continuous learning and optimal utilization of our platforms.
- Technical Support: Our dedicated technical support team is readily available to address any questions or issues that may arise. We provide prompt and efficient assistance to ensure a seamless experience with our technologies, allowing optometrists to focus on patient care without being hindered by technical challenges.
- Patient Education: Recognizing the importance of patient understanding and engagement, we provide a range of educational materials designed to help optometrists effectively explain the benefits of these proactive health assessments to their patients. These materials are designed to be clear, concise, and informative, enhancing patient understanding of the value of early detection and encouraging their active participation in their overall health management.
Our goal is to make it even easier and more affordable for these dedicated healthcare professionals to integrate these potentially life-saving tools into their daily practices, thereby expanding the reach of proactive health screening and contributing to healthier communities.
INVISION: Looking ahead, what innovations or expanded capabilities are in Toku’s pipeline that could further strengthen the optometrist’s role as a trusted first point of health screening?
VAGHEFI: MyKidneyAI, a groundbreaking innovation poised to revolutionize early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been granted FDA Breakthrough Device designation, paving the way for its anticipated availability in late 2026. This novel technology harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to analyze retinal images captured during routine eye examinations. By meticulously examining subtle indicators within these images, MyKidneyAI can identify individuals at elevated risk of developing CKD, with a particular focus on the substantial diabetic population. The significance of this advancement lies in the alarmingly high prevalence of CKD among individuals with diabetes, a demographic that often remains asymptomatic until the disease progresses to advanced stages necessitating dialysis or kidney transplantation. Early detection through MyKidneyAI offers a critical window for timely intervention, enabling proactive management strategies and potentially delaying or preventing the devastating consequences of late-stage CKD.
Building upon the success and promise of MyKidneyAI, our research and development efforts are focused on creating sophisticated AI algorithms that will expand our health assessment capabilities. Our vision extends beyond CKD, aiming to detect a broader range of systemic health conditions through the non-invasive analysis of retinal images. This ambitious endeavor seeks to transform routine eye exams into comprehensive health screenings, providing optometrists with powerful new tools for identifying early signs of various diseases. By leveraging the unique insights contained within the intricate vascular network of the retina, we aspire to empower optometrists to screen for a wider spectrum of health issues, facilitating earlier diagnosis and intervention across multiple medical domains.
Recognizing the crucial role of effective communication in healthcare, we are also dedicated to developing user-friendly reports and comprehensive educational materials. These resources will be specifically designed to assist optometrists in clearly and sensitively communicating health assessment results to their patients. By providing accessible and understandable information, we aim to empower patients to take a more active role in managing their health and adhering to recommended follow-up care. This holistic approach, encompassing advanced AI technology, expanded diagnostic capabilities, and enhanced patient communication, underscores our commitment to transforming eye care into a proactive gateway for overall health management.
Note: Check out our profile of VSP’s Global Innovation Center and other innovative people, places, and products in the lead article of INVISION’s June issue.
