The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

New Cylite CEO eyes off the $4.8 billion global eyecare industry


Vision impairment impacts over 2.2 billion people globally yet 75% of eye conditions are avoidable or treatable. An Australian company is positioned to make a global impact in the $4.8 billion eyecare diagnostics industry with an Australian researched, designed, engineered and manufactured device that provides advanced 3D imaging of the eye. Their technology could also be a gamechanger for the early diagnosis of heart and brain conditions – two of Australia’s biggest killers. 

Cylite’s award-winning Hyperparallel OCT (HP-OCT®) is the next-generation in diagnostic and imaging equipment for ophthalmologists and optometrists and will be officially launched globally in Sydney at the end of May. For the first time, a single piece of equipment can provide a comprehensive overview of the eye, providing micron level accuracy for the effective diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. In the future, the hyperparallel technology also has potential to be applied to the diagnosis of cardiovascular and neural diseases. 

“This is a game-changer for eye conditions that affect thousands of Australians, such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and untreated refractive error,” said renowned scientist Dr Steve Frisken, Founder & Director of Cylite. “The annual economic cost of vision loss in Australia is estimated to be $27.6 billion[i], but earlier diagnosis and intervention can help to mitigate the impact of the increasing financial and emotional burden on society that many of these avoidable conditions can bring.” 

While OCT technology has been around since the early 1990s, it has virtually remained unchanged for 30 years. Cylite’s HP-OCT® is superior to current technology as it better deals with the constant movement of the eye, using 1000 light beams instead of just one­­­, and can provide full volume images of the eye. Opticians will also be able to see more patients and improve their experience by combining the functions of five existing instruments into a single, automated platform. 

“Until now, no existing single instrument enables a comprehensive overview of the eye. In fact, the average ophthalmic clinic currently needs around six separate diagnostic instruments and a lot of time to understand the eye,” continued Dr Frisken. “This is because the eye is an extremely complex organ that is constantly in motion, making accurate imaging very challenging.” 

A new CEO and an ambitious vision for a future in digital health

Kylee Hall, a proven leader in the Australasian Ophthalmic Industry, has taken over as Cylite’s CEO from renowned scientist Dr Steve Frisken. Ms Hall brings a stellar industry career in delivering products into the medical and ophthalmic markets. Dr Frisken will continue in an executive leadership role to provide operational and innovation guidance to the company. 

“Despite the challenges of COVID, it is an incredibly exciting time at Cylite and I am very motivated by the incredible impact the HP-OCT® technology will make globally. The company is going through a huge expansion period with over 70 employees and a new facility recently leased in Melbourne that will provide 2,500m2 of office, laboratory and production space,” said Ms Hall. “There is already a lot of global interest around distribution of the product and we look forward to making some exciting announcements later in the year.” 

“We have a strong product pipeline based on proprietary, protected technology which will allow us to grow to become a leader in the field of ocular diagnostics and to move into other areas including neurological and cardio-vascular diagnoses, with growth through both hardware sales, and software and service offerings. We have several research sites around the world already using the technology and a long list of ophthalmologists and optometrists eager to get a device for trial in the next few months. Our Australian launch will be in May and Europe is scheduled for Q1 2023.” 

“Cylite’s technology also has huge potential in relation to AI and big data. With over $25 million in private and government investment to date and a solid roadmap for the future, I am looking forward to establishing Cylite as world leader in digital health, which is estimated to be estimated be worth over $510 billion by 2026. The future looks incredibly bright for Cylite to become the next great Australian medical company,” said Ms Hall. 

Cylite is the only Australian company working in the ophthalmic diagnostic OCT space, an area traditionally dominated by the USA, Germany, and Japan. Founded in 2013, the company is backed by some of Australia’s most experienced and entrepreneurial scientists drawn from the fields of photonics, optics, instrumentation, and software development. They were inspired by the challenge of delivering a product that could provide significant impact to the future eye health globally in light of the multiple challenges arising due to both the myopia epidemic and an aging population. 

An Australian Therapeutics Good Administration listing and European CE Mark certification have recently been received for the HP-OCT® technology, which has been recognised with a suite of prestigious awards including the Engineers Australia Sir William Hudson Award­­­­­, Australia’s Highest Engineering Honour, and Good Design Australia Best in Class Engineering Award. 

Cylite have also demonstrated, patented and are in early product development of a novel measurement technique, Hyperparallel Holoscopy, which provides for cellular-level imaging of the retina.  

“The eye is the only organ in the human body where you can non-invasively observe parts of the central nervous system, which could open up this technology to helping us to better understand brain and heart conditions. For example, more studies are indicating a positive link between understanding changes in the retina with early indicators to both heart disease and brain disease such as Alzheimer’s[ii],” finished Dr Frisken

https://www.vision2020australia.org.au/resources/clear-focus-the-economic-impact-of-vision-loss-in-australia-in-2009/

ii https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27645291/

Property Times

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Smart Ways to Earn Passive Income from Real Estate

Imagine making money without doing much work. You get paid even while you sleep, travel, or do fun things. This is called passive income. Indeed, real estate has great ways to do this. You don't have to be a landlord all day; similarly, you don't h...

Food & Dining

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

International lager claims crown as Australia’s most preferred beer

Launching its inaugural ‘Brand Map of Australia’, Tracksuit reveals Corona as the nation’s most preferred beer  Sydney, Thursday, 29 May 2025 - From iconic mass-produced lagers to innovative craft brews, beer is woven into the fabric of Australi...

Business Times

Agentforce for Financial Services: Merging AI and Human Expertise…

In this rapidly evolving world of financial services, deploying customer experiences that are personalized and intelligen...

Samsara Eco and lululemon announce 10 year partnership

lululemon and Samsara Eco Announce 10-Year Plan to Advance Recycled Material Portfolio Plan will see lululemon source a...

Barelli Bathrooms announces celebrity interior designer Kellie Ri…

Barelli Bathrooms, a leading name in contemporary bathroom accessories and design, is proud to announce its new national ...

The Times Features

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...

Ways to Attract Tenants in a Competitive Rental Market

In the kind of rental market we’ve got now, standing out is half the battle. The other half? Actually getting someone to sign that lease. With interest rates doing backflips and ...