Optain Health has acquired EyePACS, the largest teleophthalmology network in the United States, marking a significant consolidation in the effort to expand early detection of eye and systemic diseases through retinal imaging. The move unites Optain’s AI-driven robotic retinal imaging technology with EyePACS’s nationwide teleophthalmology infrastructure, creating a combined solution designed for efficient, high-volume screening in primary care settings.
EyePACS has been a cornerstone of community-based eye screening for over twenty years, supporting more than 740 clinical sites across county health systems, federally qualified health centers, and home health programs. During that time, its network has screened 1.5 million patients and identified more than 140,000 cases of severe sight-threatening disease. Optain’s imaging system builds on this foundation by allowing high-quality retinal imaging without dilation or specialized operator training, enabling examinations to be conducted wherever patients already receive care.
The two organizations have worked closely together for the past two years, aligning around a mission to prevent avoidable blindness and improve systemic health outcomes. The acquisition formalizes that collaboration and positions the joint platform to scale earlier disease detection at the population level. Optain confirmed that EyePACS’s platform will continue operating without interruption for current clinical partners, with planned investments to integrate capabilities gradually over time.
The unified offering is designed for use in primary care workflows, combining robotic imaging, cloud-based grading for multiple conditions, and electronic health record integration. Additional features include portability for point-of-care use, multilingual patient guidance, analytics for population health programs, and compatibility with major U.S. health systems. Optain currently operates at 200 provider sites worldwide and is planning more than 1,000 additional deployments, including multiple major health system rollouts in the United States.
The collaboration also strengthens research capacity. EyePACS has long supported data-driven care improvement models in community settings, while Optain is advancing research in oculomics. This emerging field utilizes retinal biomarkers to detect systemic conditions non-invasively. Together, the organizations aim to accelerate the clinical adoption of retinal imaging as a tool to assess whole-body health.
KEY QUOTES
“EyePACS and Optain share a single mission. We’re focused on delivering simple, scalable screening to the frontlines of care, helping clinicians close gaps and detect disease earlier. Together, we’re bringing forward a complete solution that combines rapid robotic imaging, specialist multi-condition grading, and seamless integration – making early detection possible for millions of patients.”
Jeff Dunkel, CEO, Optain Health
“We are thrilled to join Optain, an emerging leader in retinal imaging and artificial intelligence. We now have a unique and exceptional turnkey solution to provide fast, effective, and complete retinal exams for our primary care partners around the world. Our combined reach enables us to make meaningful progress in closing care gaps.”
Dr. Jorge Cuadros, CEO, EyePACS
“Our team brings deep clinical experience solving the real-world barriers that have held back retinal screening in frontline care. We’re building the next generation of retinal imaging — fast, intuitive, and effortless in real workflows. Together, we’re meeting patients where they already are, and accelerating our vision for oculomics — unlocking the eye as a powerful window into whole-body health.”
Dr. Zachary Tan, President, Optain Health
