OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

We are guided by the most well-known and experienced ophthalmic entrepeneurs in the industry.

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John (Chip) Berestka, MD

John (Chip) Berestka, MD

FOUNDER

A Harvard and Johns Hopkins-trained cornea and glaucoma specialist, he was convinced there had to be a better way to capture, document, and share the eye examination.

Jan Bonel, PhD

Jan Bonel, PhD

FOUNDER

Serial ophthalmology entrepreneur, CEO, advisor, and board member, he has started medical device companies in Europe, America, and Asia, seeing them through to acquisition.

Richard Lindstrom, MD

Richard Lindstrom, MD

CORPORATE BOARD MEMBER

Multiply awarded ophthalmologist, inventor, advisor, author, and editor, Dr. Lindstrom brings 40 years of expertise and guidance to our team as he had served on the boards of over 20 companies.

Rajesh K. Rajpal, MD

Rajesh K. Rajpal, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Former Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Clinical & Medical Affairs at Johnson & Johnson Vision, with extensive experience across clinical trials, FDA approvals, and product launches in refractive and cataract surgery. Previously CMO at Avedro (FDA approval of corneal cross-linking), and currently Chief Strategy & Medical Officer at Horizon Surgical Systems. Deep background in clinical development, regulatory strategy, and real-world surgical workflows.

Pablo Artal, PhD

Pablo Artal, PhD

ADVISORY BOARD

One of the best known and most published optical physicists in the world, he is the owner of 20 patents and founder of 5 ophthalmic companies and was awarded the highest scientific medal in Spain.

Dan Durrie, MD

Dan Durrie, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Founder of the largest company in the office-based surgery industry and named one of the top ten refractive surgeons in the U.S., he has participated in over 150 FDA trials.

Vance Thompson, MD

Vance Thompson, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Pioneer in every form of refractive surgery with 90 FDA trials, he has matched hundreds of entrepreneurs with mentors through the Eyecelerator Winning Pitch Challenge.

Jose Guell, MD

Jose Guell, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Founder of ESCRS and EuCornea who performed the world's first LASIK procedure, he now directs the largest European consortium of clinics and heads the largest eye clinic in Spain.

John Berdahl, MD

John Berdahl, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Founder of three companies in the ophthalmology space and advisor to many other startups, he is also recognized internationally as a leader in cornea, glaucoma, and refractive surgery.

Neda Shamie, MD

Neda Shamie, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Former medical director of the USC Eye Program and partner in the most prestigious practice in Southern California, she is recognized internationally as one of ophthalmology's rising stars.

William Wiley, MD

William Wiley, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

President of the AECOS, medical director of the Cleveland Eye Clinic, and faculty member at Case Western, he helped pioneer the Light Adjustable Lens and many other refractive procedures.

Matt Jensen, MBA

Matt Jensen, MBA

ADVISOR

Matt Jensen is a highly successful business leader with a lifetime of experience in marketing, business development, entrepreneurship, and customer experience design.

Rob Thornhill

Rob Thornhill

ADVISOR

Leader of Tear Film Innovations from a startup to their acquisition by Alcon, he is known for leading several public and private companies, including the largest LASIK provider in the U.S. He is a decorated ophthalmology veteran with over three decades of senior executive experience.

Thomas J. Schumacher, JD

Thomas J. Schumacher, JD

STRATEGIC, AI IMPLEMENTATION & REGULATORY ADVISOR

Former Chief Data & Privacy Officer and AI Counsel at Medtronic, with nearly two decades of experience in global data privacy, AI governance, and regulatory strategy for medical devices. Extensive leadership background across ethics, compliance, AI risk management, and digital health regulation at scale.