1-800 Contacts buys Israeli home vision testing startup

Online contact lens retailer 1-800 Contacts has acquired Israel-based 6over6 Vision Ltd., a developer of in-home vision testing technology. Salt Lake City-based 1-800 Contacts said it expects to utilize the 6over6 technology across a variety of its existing businesses and products, including Express Exam, which currently enables consumers to confirm their prescriptions for contacts with a computer or smartphone.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

The deal is expected to close by the end of the month. Terms were not disclosed.

“We have long admired the innovations 6over6 has built and have been using their technologies to serve our customers. This acquisition allows us to continue our 25-year commitment to pursuing a better way in vision care,” said John Graham, CEO of 1-800 Contacts. “People deserve simple and affordable eye care solutions and acquiring 6over6 will allow us to deliver this for our customers on an even larger scale.”

The acquisition marks a critical turning point for both brands and the industry at-large, leveraging the technology of 6over6 and 1-800 Contacts’ proven heritage as a pioneer in the vision space, Graham said. Since its formation, 6over6 received investments from many top vision companies and has now chosen to join 1-800 Contacts because of a shared commitment to advancing vision care and increasing access and affordability for people around the world.

According to Graham, 1-800 Contacts and 6over6 expect to work together to revolutionize telemedicine offerings within the vision industry, such as enabling consumers to obtain a new prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses from anywhere without an office visit. This innovation is not yet available on the market and will make vision correction easier and more accessible for everyone, including the 2.5 billion people worldwide with poor vision who have no access to treatment, he said.

“It has been our life’s mission to create groundbreaking technology that would allow consumers the ability to take control of their own vision care and reach communities around the globe without access,” said Dr. Ofer Limon, co-founder of 6over6 Vision. “1-800 Contacts shares our drive to change what is broken in this industry and we know that this acquisition will bring our vision to life on a global scale that can make real change.”

More than 1,000 people work for 1-800 Contacts at its Utah and North Carolina campuses.{/mprestriction}

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