EyeFuture Monthly Report: Five Financing Rounds, Five New Product Launches, and Policy Shifts — Key Ophthalmology Events in September 2025

Sep 30, 2025 11:26 CST Updated 11:26

Sierra Medical

Innovative Medical Device Developer

Source: Eye Future

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According to the industry trends this month, the innovation and capital boom in the ophthalmology sector continued to heat up in September, with several significant events driving the industry forward.

First,Ophthalmic innovation companies continue to gain capital favor,Multiple Companies Receive Hundreds of Millions in Investment, further accelerating technology research and development and market layout. Meanwhile,Approval and Market Launch of Chinese-Made Extended Depth-of-Focus Intraocular Lenses, marking a significant breakthrough in China-produced refractive implant technology and providing patients with a broader range of treatment options.

At the capital level，Aier Investment Group Strategically Invests in Sierra Medical, promoting innovative cooperation in the field of ophthalmic devices. More importantly,Femtosecond Laser Included in Centralized Procurement for the First Time, This policy change not only affected the price of femtosecond lasers but also brought a wave of shock to the ophthalmology industry.

The combination of AI and ophthalmic technology is also beginning to show potential.The Intersection of AI Glasses and Ophthalmic Equipment is Gradually Breaking Boundaries, becoming a potential development direction for the next generation of ophthalmic terminal devices. This series of events not only promoted innovation in ophthalmic technology but also brought new investment opportunities to the capital market.

This issue of "Eye Future EyeMonthly" willReview these key industry events, delve into the trends and opportunities behind it, focus on the latest developments in the optometry field, and extract the truly important signals for investment and brand decision-making.

Time: September 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
Monthly Review and Industry Key Points of Ophthalmic Equipment Industry

Financing (3 cases)

Over 100 Million Yuan in Financing – Made in ChinaPhacoemulsification and Vitrectomy Product Line

Sierra Medical Announces Completion of New Round of Financing Exceeding RMB 100 MillionThis round of financing was jointly led by Qianji Capital and Shunwei Capital, with existing shareholders Boxin Capital and Hony Capital continuing to increase their investment.The funds will be used for the further development of the company's self-developed phacoemulsification and vitrectomy integrated product line., and accelerate the localization of its ophthalmic surgical equipment in China and the expansion of its global market.

As a leading innovator in ophthalmic devices in China, Sierra Medical was founded in 2022 and focuses on providing precise, intelligent, minimally invasive surgical treatment solutions for ophthalmology. The company's core products includeThe first model with a cutting speed of 20,000 times per minuteNEXVIT® Full Series Ultra-High-Speed Vitrectomy ProbesAnd the upcoming phacoemulsification and vitrectomy integrated machine, etc. The company's core technology is gradually breaking the market monopoly of imported brands, promoting the localized production of ophthalmic devices in China.

Hundreds of Millions in Financing —— Made in ChinaOphthalmic Surgical Robot

Ant Micro Medical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Announces Completion of Hundreds of Millions of Yuan in Series B FinancingThe funds will be mainly used to consolidate the technological advantages of core products, including ophthalmic surgical robots, improve the product ecosystem of micro-robots, accelerate the clinical registration process, and promote the layout of the international market.

AntMicro focuses on high-precision microsurgical robots, covering general-purpose microsurgical robots, ophthalmic surgical robots, and gastrointestinal endoscopic robots. Among themOphthalmic surgical robot has completed registration clinical trials and officially entered the critical phase of registration and market launch., which can effectively filter out physiological hand tremors, meeting the operational requirements for high-precision ophthalmic surgery.

This ophthalmic surgical robot is equipped with a 7-degrees-of-freedom wrist joint,Front-end instrument diameter less than 3mm, which can flexibly access tiny spaces within the eye, completing anastomosis operations on blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves under 0.3mm, meeting the demands of complex retinal surgeries.

190 Million Financing —— Fundus Imaging and Early Disease Screening

Optain Health Announces Completion of $26 Million Series A Financing, The funds will be used to accelerate the large-scale deployment in the U.S. market and expand into other global markets. Its core technologies includePortable Robotic Fundus Imaging Device and "Oculomics" Technology, used for the early screening of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and other diseases.

The innovation of Optain lies inUsing Fundus Imaging as the "Early Screening Entry Point for Systemic Diseases", expanding from simple ophthalmic screening to the field of chronic disease management, has gained the support of investors including seven major American healthcare systems, covering more than 28 million patients.

This financing not only brought Optain significant attention in the capital market but also closely integrated its business model with the actual healthcare system, providing access to clinical pathways and payment systems.

Investment and Mergers & Acquisitions (2 cases)

Sierra Medical Receives Tens of Millions in Strategic Investment

Sierra Medical Investment Group and Shanghai New Vision Medical Device Co., Ltd. have reached a strategic investment agreement, investing tens of millions of yuan to become a major shareholder with a 9.35% stake.This move marks that the two parties will deepen their cooperation in the research and development of high-end ophthalmic medical devices and the field of import substitution.

By sharing Sierra Medical's experimental platform and clinical application scenarios, New Vision Medical will accelerate technological innovation, reduce R&D costs, and quickly access high-quality market channels through the preferential procurement terms of the Sierra system, expanding sales and market share.

One of the key projects in the collaboration is to advance Sierra Medical's blockbuster product——Development of the MTP5000 Phacoemulsification and Vitrectomy Integrated System. This product integrates the functions of phacoemulsification and vitrectomy, aiming to improve surgical efficiency, reduce operational difficulty, and provide a more integrated and safer equipment option for ophthalmic surgeries.

EuroEyes Ophthalmology Acquires Overseas Assets

EuroEyes Ophthalmology (01846.HK) Announces Acquisition of Refractive Surgery Clinics and Related Assets in Switzerland and the UK for Approximately HKD 1.20 BillionThis move marks EuroEyes' further expansion in the European market. The acquisition will help EuroEyes establish a solid presence in seven key cities in Switzerland and the refractive surgery market in London, strengthening its competitiveness in the high-end refractive surgery sector in Europe.

Through the acquisition, Deutsche Erde will quickly gain access to existing customer resources and medical equipment, and by integrating assets from Switzerland and the UK, enhance its strategic depth in the Central and Western European markets. However, the acquisition also faces challenges such as integration pressure and regional regulatory differences.

Different from the expansion model of ophthalmic chain enterprises in China,EuroEyes' "Reverse Localization" Strategy Breaks Through in High-Consumption European Markets, showcasing the potential of cross-border M&A pathways. In the future, whether Deutsche BKK can transform the scale advantages of its acquisitions into sustained growth momentum will depend on its subsequent integration execution and localization strategy.

Products Approved (5)

Alcon Glaucoma Drainage Device Approved in China

Alcon's Hydrus Microstent Makes Debut at China Ophthalmology Conference. This product reconstructs the natural outflow pathway of aqueous humor through a triple mechanism. Unlike traditional glaucoma surgery, it does not rely on external drainage channels but instead preserves the integrity of ocular tissues through minimally invasive means, significantly reducing intraocular pressure and improving patients' quality of life.

The successful launch of Hydros marks Alcon's long-term strategy in the field of minimally invasive treatment.To ensure the smooth launch of the product in the Chinese market, the Alcon China team conducted extensive localization adaptability verification during the registration process to ensure that the product meets the needs of Chinese clinical practice.

Zhang Jian, Vice President of Alcon China, pointed out that the treatment of glaucoma in China has its particularities, especially among large patient populations. The minimally invasive combined procedure of Hydrus can effectively reduce drug dependence, and it is simple to perform with quick recovery.

China's First Full-Eye Imaging Platform Approved for CE

Suzhou VClear Medical Device Co., Ltd. announced that its core ophthalmic imaging equipment — the SKY Full-Eye Imaging Platform and the ultra-widefield laser fundus camera — has successfully obtained EU CE-MDR certification., marking an important step in the company's global strategy.

The SKY platform integrates five laser channels and multiple synchronous imaging modes, combining traditional image algorithms with artificial intelligence algorithms, significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of diagnosing fundus diseases.

Moreover, the ultra-wide-angle laser fundus camera has broken through the limitations of traditional equipment in observing peripheral lesions, providing a clearer presentation of the entire fundus. This assists clinicians in observing hard-to-capture details and demonstrates the technological innovation and market potential of domestically produced ophthalmic imaging devices.

Made in ChinaExtended Depth-of-Focus Intraocular Lens Approved for Marketing in China

Aiborn (Beijing) Medical Technology Co., Ltd. announced that its innovative extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for official market release.This intraocular lens breaks through the limitations of traditional single-focus lenses by adopting a unique optical design, successfully achieving extended depth of focus (EDoF). It not only improves distance vision but also effectively enhances intermediate vision, reducing dependence on glasses.

As the second domestically produced extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens, this product not only breaks the technical monopoly of imported brands but also has competitive advantages in optical design and localized supply chains. It is expected to provide Chinese patients with a more cost-effective vision correction solution.

Made in ChinaNon-contact Corneal Sensory Device Approved for Marketing

EyeSmallDoc (Wenzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. announced that the non-contact corneal esthesiometer jointly developed with Professor Chen Wei's team from the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University has been approved for marketing by the Zhejiang Provincial Drug Administration.. This technological breakthrough fills the gap in non-invasive quantitative detection of corneal nerve function in China, bringing new technological innovation to the field of precise ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment in China.

Compared with traditional contact detection methods, the non-contact corneal esthesiometer supports 0.1mbar step adjustment with precise air pressure control, offering high sensitivity and suitability for early lesion detection. The device is easy to operate, requiring only 2-3 minutes for single-eye detection, significantly improving diagnostic efficiency. It meets the needs of grassroots medical institutions and optometry centers for efficient, convenient, and accurate corneal esthesiometry.

Made in ChinaNaked-Eye 3D Vision Training Software Approved for Marketing

Shanghai Guangzhi Medical Technology Co., Ltd. announced that its developed naked-eye 3D visual function training software has obtained a medical device registration certificate, becoming the first approved vision training software medical device in Shanghai.This software combines naked-eye 3D technology with display terminals, aiming to intervene in the prevention and control of myopia among teenagers by simulating a realistic three-dimensional visual environment.

Compared with traditional 2D training devices, naked-eye 3D technology provides a more natural and realistic visual training environment, enhancing children's compliance and effectiveness in training while avoiding dizziness and double vision issues associated with previous devices. Although this technology is still in its early stages and requires further validation of its effectiveness, it has the potential to bring new development opportunities to the field of optometry, particularly playing a significant role in the clinical treatment pathways for myopia and amblyopia.

Personnel Changes (1)

Global Ophthalmic Diagnostics Leader Appoints New CEO

Haag-Streit, a Global Leader in Ophthalmic Diagnostics, Announces the Arrival of New CEO Thomas Lenzen, indicating that Haag-Streit may be preparing to transform from a single diagnostic giant into an integrated platform of "diagnostics + surgery." Lenzen's deep accumulation in the field of ophthalmic surgery, especially its surgical business experience with companies like Bausch + Lomb, provides a solid foundation for Haag-Streit to enter the surgical track.

In the past, Haag-Streit has established a solid position in the market through its leading diagnostic equipment, but its growth potential gradually shows limitations, especially with almost no presence in the surgical equipment and consumables sector.

The appointment of Lenzen indicates that,Haag-Streit May Deeply Enter the Ophthalmic Surgery Field While Maintaining Diagnostic Advantages, and expand new growth points. This strategic transformation is not only a response to market competition, but also an inevitable choice in the management of capital market expectations.

Policy Release (2 items)

Artificial Crystals Linked to the Lowest Price in China

Heilongjiang Provincial Public Resources Trading Center Announces Notice, extending the scope of medical consumables price governance to all listed varieties, andRequire enterprises to adjust products that do not meet the minimum price in China to the lowest price within a specified time.. This initiative covers a variety of medical consumable products, among whichIntraocular LensAs an important consumable in the ophthalmology field, it has become one of the key monitored products in this price linkage.

According to the announcement, products that fail to adjust as required will be included in the price linkage adjustment scope. This policy aims to promote greater transparency and rationalization of medical consumable prices through price linkage and data governance.

As similar policies are gradually introduced in other provinces and cities,Price adjustments for products such as intraocular lenses will become a常态化 regulatory measure., enterprises need to ensure product quality and technological innovation while flexibly adjusting prices to adapt to new market demands and policy environments.

Femtosecond Laser Included in Centralized Procurement for the First Time

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Issues Announcement on Including Femtosecond Laser Surgery Systems in Provincial Centralized Volume-based Procurement, marking the beginning of policy changes affecting the large-scale high-end equipment sector and transforming the traditional procurement model for ophthalmic devices. This move will not only redefine the pricing structure of femtosecond laser equipment but also have a profound impact on hospitals' procurement logic, equipment manufacturers' market strategies, and the overall competitive landscape of the refractive surgery industry.

In the past, femtosecond laser equipment was mainly dominated by imported brands. However, this centralized procurement has provided new opportunities for domestically produced equipment, forcing the market to focus on the actual technical value of the equipment rather than brand premium. The centralized procurement policy brings hospitals a more efficient and transparent procurement process, while also providing domestic manufacturers with the opportunity to break through import barriers through price competition.

However, the challenges are equally significant. Chinese manufacturers need to continuously make breakthroughs in technology, stability, and after-sales service to truly capture market share.