Berlin startup brings eye examination directly into the country - revolution or risk?

Berlin startup brings eye examination directly into the country - revolution or risk?

In Brandenburg there is an alarm mood: A Berlin startup has created the mobile ophthalmologist practice to meet the shocking lack of ophthalmologists! Under the direction of Simon Zabel and his partner Konstantin Hahne, the two entrepreneurs tour with their compact practice in a suitcase through remote places in which the waiting times for ophthalmologist dates rise immeasurably. In about a year you have already carried out over 5,000 preventive examinations. On Tuesday they visited the Lausitzer city of Drebkau, known for their few medical offers and high number of older citizens.

eye examinations in the classroom

In Drebkau, the two innovators settled in a classroom of the primary school - but without a real ophthalmologist on site! Instead, they rely on experienced specialists. While the patients stand in line, Hahne explains that they examine the retina with state -of -the -art devices such as a tonometer and a pool. The emergency of the citizens is obvious, because for 69 euros per investigation, the individual dates are quickly booked up. Customers like Jutta van Almsick are inevitable after trying to get a regular doctor's appointment.

But this business model does not remain without resistance. The professional association of ophthalmologists in Germany has sharp criticism, warns of the endangerment of patients and emphasizes the need for a medical diagnosis. Zabel reacts calmly and explains that their services are complementary to the doctors and that all data collected will later be evaluated by specialists. The reaction of the citizens, however, speaks volumes: the mayor of Drebkau, Paul Köhne, sees mobile practice as an indispensable rectouits for his community. "We have no ophthalmologists in the area. Every help is welcome," he emphasizes.

In a time when millions of patients are plagued by long waiting times and inaccessible offers, this startup could make the decisive difference. But how long can the business model last and will the medical community accept the unconventional offer in the long term? The eyes of the Brandenburgers are aimed at this development!