Latest news with #SonaliBloom
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Natural Lighting: Why Eye Health Matters More Than You Think
Sonali Bloom is CEO of 20/20 Onsite. getty We don't know who first said that the eye is the window to the soul, but if they were around today, they might well phrase it differently. With recent advancements in medical technology, our eyes have become the window to the rest of the body. The science is clear: Eye exams are about more than just blurry vision—now they can help catch serious health issues early. Yet, despite this, less than half of Americans get a yearly eye check-up. That's alarming when you consider that 75% of adults experience some level of vision loss. That's why eye health is an issue that both individuals and businesses need to take seriously. Let's start with a number: 7 hours and 3 minutes. That's the average daily screen time for an American, according to recent studies. More than 40% of teenagers spend over 8 hours a day looking at screens. The result? An alarming rise in dry eye disease, sleep disruption and related issues, especially among working-age professionals. And as the workforce ages, age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration are becoming more common. In my company, where we focus on on-location—which we call 'point of need'— eye care and clinical research, we're seeing a sharp increase in dry eye cases among people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The frustrating part is that many of these individuals have access to healthcare but don't realize that simple, painless treatments could significantly improve their symptoms. That can be solved with annual eye exams. Companies that prioritize eye health stand to benefit both in terms of employee performance and overall healthcare savings. Research suggests that vision-related productivity loss costs U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year. Employees who struggle with uncorrected vision issues experience more headaches, fatigue and concentration problems, all of which impact productivity. Traditionally, eye exams were mostly about figuring out if you needed glasses. But thanks to new technology, they have evolved into something far more powerful: a window into your neurological and overall health. The eyes are unique—they're the only part of the nervous system that doctors can examine visually. New imaging technology allows us to look at the optic nerve in incredible detail, without the need for dilating drops. Why is this so important? Because diseases like ALS, MS, Parkinson's and even Alzheimer's often leave clues in the eyes before symptoms appear elsewhere. Advancements in eye tracking and imaging technology—think VR headsets—combined with AI pattern-matching algorithms allow us to gather real-time data, leading to faster diagnoses. In some cases, doctors can even detect early signs of brain tumors through pressure on the ocular space. The connection between eye health and systemic disease becomes clearer each year. This is why eye exams are now a standard protocol in clinical trials for popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs may raise the risk of serious eye conditions, on top of the eye conditions the systemic disease itself may cause. As these medications are tested for applications beyond diabetes and weight loss—including heart disease and brain disorders—regular eye check-ups will become more important than ever. So how do we improve our approach to eye health? Here's a start: Individuals: Schedule an eye exam at least once a year. A quick 30-minute check-up could uncover health issues that might otherwise go undetected. Take regular screen breaks and consider using blue light filters. Employers: Make vision care a workplace priority. Whether through on-site screenings, improved insurance benefits, or simple awareness campaigns, these efforts are an investment in healthier and more productive employees. Encourage easy preventative measures like screen breaks and blue light filters. Investors: Pay close attention to this growing R&D space. The integration of eye exams into clinical trials signals a shift in how we approach disease detection and treatment. When was your last eye exam? If you don't remember, it's probably time to get one on the calendar. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
20/20 Onsite Receives Safety Excellence Award, Reinforcing Commitment to Unmatched Clinical Trial Support
BOSTON, March 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--20/20 Onsite, a leader in delivering point-of-need ophthalmic assessments for clinical trials, is proud to announce its recognition with the Safety Excellence Award by Whip Around. This accolade underscores the company's unwavering commitment to operational excellence and safety in delivering point-of-need eye care services. Based on rigorous evaluation criteria, the award highlights 20/20 Onsite's exceptional performance in fleet safety and inspection participation. Key achievements that contributed to this recognition include: Nearly 50% of assets inspected (over 600 inspections submitted) with zero identified defects over the past year. Exceptional inspection efficiency, with an average completion time of 3 minutes and 24 seconds. "We're honored to receive this Safety Excellence Award, recognizing our commitment to safety in mobile optometry. With over 2,000,000 miles driven across 48 states, delivering state-of-the-art care, we know safety is the foundation of our success. It's where excellence begins and what makes our mission possible every day," said Ivan Quiroz, VP, Clinic Operations at 20/20 Onsite. "Safety is a fundamental pillar of our commitment to providing industry-leading point-of-need ophthalmic assessments for clinical trials and the broader community," said Sonali Bloom, CEO of 20/20 Onsite. "Receiving this award reaffirms our dedication to operational excellence, ensuring our services are convenient for patients and meet the highest safety standards." This recognition reflects 20/20 Onsite's relentless pursuit of quality. The company's rigorous inspection protocols and proactive driver engagement ensure that its mobile clinics are always prepared to deliver consistent, reliable service—an essential factor in supporting critical ophthalmic assessment timelines. As the industry standard for point-of-need eye care assessments, 20/20 Onsite focuses on expanding its capabilities while maintaining a steadfast commitment to safety and quality. For more information about 20/20 Onsite and its services, visit About 20/20 Onsite 20/20 Onsite is a healthcare services company providing clinical trial solutions that are transforming the delivery of vision care by radically improving access for patients through state-of-the-art Mobile Vision Clinics. Their integrated point-of-need service delivery platform has taken high-value eye assessment services directly to patients at work, at school, in neighborhoods, and at clinical research sites. During the pandemic, 20/20 Onsite began bringing ophthalmic assessments to patients in clinical trials or post-marketing safety surveillance programs across the country, increasing access to clinical research. They are enabling and accelerating fundamental trends toward the consumerization of care and the decentralization of clinical trials. 20/20 Onsite has served over 85,000 patients, including 34 clinical trials, met 100% of screening timelines across their operations, and consistently reports patient NPS scores of over 95. View source version on Contacts Media: Josh AndersonSenior Director of Marketingjanderson@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
20/20 Onsite Receives Safety Excellence Award, Reinforcing Commitment to Unmatched Clinical Trial Support
20/20 Onsite, a leader in delivering point-of-need ophthalmic assessments for clinical trials, is proud to announce its recognition with the Safety Excellence Award by Whip Around. This accolade underscores the company's unwavering commitment to operational excellence and safety in delivering point-of-need eye care services. Based on rigorous evaluation criteria, the award highlights 20/20 Onsite's exceptional performance in fleet safety and inspection participation. Key achievements that contributed to this recognition include: Nearly 50% of assets inspected (over 600 inspections submitted) with zero identified defects over the past year. Exceptional inspection efficiency, with an average completion time of 3 minutes and 24 seconds. 'We're honored to receive this Safety Excellence Award, recognizing our commitment to safety in mobile optometry. With over 2,000,000 miles driven across 48 states, delivering state-of-the-art care, we know safety is the foundation of our success. It's where excellence begins and what makes our mission possible every day,' said Ivan Quiroz, VP, Clinic Operations at 20/20 Onsite. 'Safety is a fundamental pillar of our commitment to providing industry-leading point-of-need ophthalmic assessments for clinical trials and the broader community,' said Sonali Bloom, CEO of 20/20 Onsite. 'Receiving this award reaffirms our dedication to operational excellence, ensuring our services are convenient for patients and meet the highest safety standards.' This recognition reflects 20/20 Onsite's relentless pursuit of quality. The company's rigorous inspection protocols and proactive driver engagement ensure that its mobile clinics are always prepared to deliver consistent, reliable service—an essential factor in supporting critical ophthalmic assessment timelines. As the industry standard for point-of-need eye care assessments, 20/20 Onsite focuses on expanding its capabilities while maintaining a steadfast commitment to safety and quality. For more information about 20/20 Onsite and its services, visit About 20/20 Onsite 20/20 Onsite is a healthcare services company providing clinical trial solutions that are transforming the delivery of vision care by radically improving access for patients through state-of-the-art Mobile Vision Clinics. Their integrated point-of-need service delivery platform has taken high-value eye assessment services directly to patients at work, at school, in neighborhoods, and at clinical research sites. During the pandemic, 20/20 Onsite began bringing ophthalmic assessments to patients in clinical trials or post-marketing safety surveillance programs across the country, increasing access to clinical research. They are enabling and accelerating fundamental trends toward the consumerization of care and the decentralization of clinical trials. 20/20 Onsite has served over 85,000 patients, including 34 clinical trials, met 100% of screening timelines across their operations, and consistently reports patient NPS scores of over 95. SOURCE: 20/20 Onsite Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/13/2025 10:44 AM/DISC: 03/13/2025 10:45 AM
