Swiss medical technology company PeriVision develops AI visual function inspection algorithms and detectors to improve the speed of glaucoma detection | Top 100 Swiss Innovators
Image source: PeriVision
The Swiss medical technology company PeriVision was founded in 2022. The company is committed to developing AI visual function inspection algorithms and detectors. Its AI algorithm is based on the Sequential Optimization Reconstruction Strategy (SORS), which can be embedded in the head - mounted visual field detector to automatically complete the guidance of patients' vision tests and the interpretation of results. While improving clinical accuracy, it optimizes the workflow and shortens the testing time.
PeriVision is a spin - off company from the laboratory of the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research at the University of Bern. It was co - founded by Patrick Kessel, Serife Kucur Ergunay, and Raphael Sznitman. Patrick Kessel is the CEO of the company. He holds a master's degree in political science from the London School of Economics and Political Science and has provided business development consulting for medical technology, biopharmaceutical, and insurance clients at the Boston Consulting Group. Serife Kucur Ergunay is the CTO of the company. She holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering from the University of Bern, and her research focuses on the AI application of ophthalmic and vision test data. Raphael Sznitman is a professor of AI in medical imaging at the University of Bern. He has over 15 years of experience in healthcare and ophthalmic AI solutions and is the co - founder and scientific advisor of the Swiss ophthalmic AI company RetinAI Medical.
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According to statistics from the World Health Organization, there are approximately 2.2 billion people with visual impairments globally, among which about 80 million people are blind due to glaucoma. Affected by population aging and changes in modern lifestyles, the number of people with visual impairments continues to grow. Approximately 50% of these cases could have been prevented or controlled through early screening, intervention, or treatment.
However, the existing vision testing system can no longer meet the diagnosis and treatment needs. On the one hand, the traditional vision testing process is time - consuming. Patients need to maintain high concentration for a long time, resulting in a poor testing experience and reducing the reception efficiency of clinics. On the other hand, traditional testing equipment is usually large in size and fixed in position, taking up a lot of space. It is difficult to cover a wider range of application needs such as primary healthcare, mobile screening, and remote testing. In addition, the vision testing process often relies on professionals for process explanation, test supervision, quality judgment, and long - term follow - up management, which further increases the human resource burden on medical institutions and limits the operational efficiency and accessibility of ophthalmic services.
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PeriVision has developed an AI visual function inspection algorithm and detector. The algorithm is based on the Sequential Optimization Reconstruction Strategy (SORS), which can significantly shorten the vision testing time while ensuring testing accuracy. The detector is highly portable and can help doctors and patients complete vision tests remotely and quickly.
SORS is an AI - based meta - strategy. It aims to dynamically identify the most efficient testing route through a machine - learning algorithm trained on thousands of visual fields, maximizing the reduction of testing time while ensuring accuracy. In actual testing, SORS does not need to test all visual field points completely. Instead, it first intelligently samples about 20 - 36 key subset points. Then, based on the tested points, it uses the linear approximation method and the correlation between different positions of the retina to reconstruct and predict the untested areas, identifying the best "testing path" to quickly complete the visual function test. Compared with the traditional SITA (Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm) standard procedure, SORS can increase the testing speed by about 70%, reducing the average testing time for each eye from about 11 minutes to 2 - 3 minutes. At the same time, clinical results show that SORS has a high consistency with the clinical gold - standard strategy, with a correlation coefficient of the mean deviation (MD) reaching R = 0.91, and the test - retest variability is reduced by about 26% - 39%.
Based on this algorithm, PeriVision has developed a head - mounted visual field detector. This detector integrates a patented AI algorithm, VR technology, and cloud - computing capabilities to provide a new generation of visual function testing and evaluation services. The detector weighs 0.6 kg, is easy to carry, and can be used anywhere. It has a built - in virtual assistant function, which can provide real - time guidance and assistance to patients through automated multilingual voice guides, reducing the need for continuous supervision by technicians. Its eye - tracking function is based on active sensor monitoring, which can detect whether the patient is looking steadily, ensuring the quality of the test. At the same time, the testing interval will be automatically adjusted between 2500 milliseconds and 1000 milliseconds according to the patient's reaction speed, further shortening the testing time for patients with faster reactions.
When in use, doctors can easily configure patients' ophthalmic examinations on the control panel. Patients can wear the device to conduct vision tests, complete feedback interactions after seeing light spots, and perform a series of eye function tests. After the test is completed, the data will be uploaded to PeriVision's cloud platform. Doctors and clinics can view the analysis results on the platform and export standardized reports, which can be incorporated into the hospital or clinic workflow. Throughout the process, PeriVision's AI algorithm will continuously optimize the examination, automatically assist in operations, control the quality of the examination, and provide valuable analysis for clinical decision - making. Statistics show that the detector can increase the number of patient visits by 21% - 30% and reduce the clinic's examination working time by 63%, effectively improving the clinic's efficiency and increasing the accessibility of early detection.
PeriVision's AI visual function inspection algorithm and detector have obtained certifications from the EU, the United States, and the United Kingdom and can be applied in ophthalmic clinics, hospitals, optometry, vision care, and medical research institutions. Currently, its first product has been launched, and distribution agreements have been signed with multiple European markets.
In September 2025, PeriVision completed a seed - round financing of 2.4 million Swiss francs. The funds will be used to further expand the functions of the detector, including VR examinations for retinal diseases, AI analysis, and system integration capabilities.
PeriVision is one of the companies on the "TOP100 Swiss Startups" list in 2025. The "TOP100 Swiss Startups" brings together the best "Made in Switzerland" startups and growing technology innovation companies. It is the most internationally influential benchmark list in the Swiss technology innovation field. Since 2011, this list has selected 100 of the most innovative and market - promising Swiss innovation companies and 25 Swiss growing companies with unicorn potential nationwide in Switzerland each year, covering fields such as life sciences, engineering machinery, robotics, information and communication, low - carbon technology, and food technology. The "TOP100 Swiss Startups" and its series of brand activities are iconic events in the Swiss innovation ecosystem, representing the highest level of Swiss innovation and the forefront of international investment and financing.
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