1-800 Contacts closes Israeli subsidiary 6over6, cuts 60 jobs
Smartphone-based eye exam startup was acquired for $100M in 2019.
The American company 1-800 Contacts is shuttering its operations in Israel and laying off 60 employees. The closure affects the team responsible for developing smartphone-based vision testing technology, a tool intended to replace standard optometrist exams.
The Israeli branch was based on 6over6 Vision, a local startup that 1-800 Contacts acquired in 2019 in a cash deal reportedly worth $100 million.
Founded in 2014 by Dr. Ofer Limon and Dr. Alex Zlotnik, both experts in electro-optics, 6over6 had raised around $13 million from investors including the Alumot Fund, Triventures, and China's Rimonci Capital before being acquired. At the time of the deal, the founders emphasized that the company would continue to operate independently and planned to expand its workforce in Israel.
6over6’s flagship app, GlassesOn, enables users to conduct self-administered eye exams and obtain prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses using only a smartphone. The company also developed additional technologies for opticians, eyewear brands, and eye care professionals, aiming to streamline the prescription process and improve access to vision care.
