doc

HARMAN and HelpMeSee Reducing Blindness on a Global Scale

Simulation-Based Learning System developed by HARMAN Connected Services enables thousands of specialists to be trained in cataract surgery using HelpMeSeeā€™s Eye Surgical Simulator

STAMFORD, CT HARMAN (NYSE: HAR), the premier connected technologies company for the automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, announced today its role in developing an enterprise software solution for simulation-based training management with HelpMeSee, the global campaign to end cataract blindness. This Training Management System software is a critical component of the complete training system designed by HelpMeSee to support delivery of the standardized manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) training program, which will support education thousands of cataract specialists to perform vision-restoring cataract surgery.

doc

“As the need for cataract surgeries continues to rise, it’s important that we partner with companies like HARMAN to develop technology to support our simulation-based program to train cataract specialists in high-quality, affordable surgeries,” said Jacob Mohan Thazhathu, president and chief executive officer of HelpMeSee.

The surgery takes approximately five minutes to complete per eye. Though the procedure is relatively quick and low-cost, many people in the developing world suffering from cataract blindness do not have access to this sight-restoring surgery. This simulator-based training management will help train the thousands of cataract specialists needed in order to make these surgeries available globally to more than 20 million people blinded by cataracts.

HelpMeSee has employed HARMAN’s software services to develop a simulation-based training management for delivering standardized cataract surgery training. The system includes an application that allows development of a library of pre-configured training scenarios that are presented to trainee specialists. Using these scenarios, it is possible for trainees  to learn, practice and become experts at performing surgical tasks and the MSICS procedure. It provides a wide range of training tools and features that includes:

HelpMeSee plans to offer the training program at select training centers around the world, supporting the ability to deliver high-quality, high-volume cataract surgeries and successfully meeting the challenge of eliminating avoidable blindness due to cataracts around the world.

“As software services become a critical component of for many industries, from health care to communications to automotive, technology-savvy companies are increasingly turning to HARMAN for advanced and proven cloud, mobility and analytics solutions that enable stronger and more fulfilling experiences across connected enterprises, connected homes and connected cars,” said Sanjay Dhawan, president, HARMAN Connected Services. “We are extremely proud to play a role in HelpMeSee’s incredible mission to train more cataract specialists, and ultimately improve the lives of their patients around the world.”

About HelpMeSee

HelpMeSee (helpmesee.org) is a global campaign to end cataract blindness - the leading cause of blindness worldwide. HelpMeSee is developing advanced simulation based training to meet the increasing demands for cataract surgeries worldwide. To support this, HelpMeSee is pioneering a virtual reality surgical simulator and training program adapted from extensive experience in simulator based aviation training. Since 2012, the campaign has supported over 248,000 surgeries through 242 partner surgeons across India, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Madagascar, Togo, Sierra Leone, Peru and The Gambia. HelpMeSee is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and was recognized among the top 10 most innovative social enterprises as a winner of the 2016 Classy Awards.

For further information, please contact:

HELPMESEE

1-844-HelpMeSee (1-844-435-7637)

pr@helpmesee.org


Mary Maguire
Director, Public and Analyst Relations
HARMAN Connected Services
+1-617-877-8580
mary.maguire@harman.com