A County Durham firm that makes masks to treat people with diabetes has signed a major deal with a Japanese tech giant.
PolyPhotonix has developed a mask that can be used to treat diabetic patients that are at risk of losing their sight.
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, which causes high blood sugar levels to damage the back of the eye.
PolyPhotonix's sleep mask has been designed to be worn at night and delivers a precise dose of light therapy while the wearer is asleep. The treatment reduces and reverses the effects of diabetic retinopathy.
The company, based at Sedgefield's NETPark, has now signed a deal with Tohoku Pioneer Corporation, which will provide it with OLED panels that will be integrated into the Noctura 400 sleep mask.
During the coronavirus pandemic high risk patients - including those with diabetes - have been advised not to go to hospitals when possible. This means that many appointments for eye treatments have been cancelled by clinics. PolyPhotonix's products allow these patients to receive treatment while at home.
Richard Kirk, chief executive of PolyPhotonix, said: “We are delighted to be working with Tohoku Pioneer who will be supporting our OLED requirements for Noctura 400 global volume growth. Together we can continue to save people’s sight during and after the pandemic.
"Current treatments for diabetic retinopathy are expensive, take up clinician’s time and require regular hospital visits. Our sleep mask can be used by patients at home, reducing the pressure on frontline hospital services and delivering cost savings.”
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Masatoshi Yamaki, director for Tohoku Pioneer's organic EL business, said: "Tohoku Pioneer will supply state-of-the-art OLED panels to be the light source in the Noctura 400, PolyPhotonix's sleep mask to treat diabetic retinopathy.
"We hope the use of our OLED panels in PolyPhotonix’s sleep mask, Noctura 400, will contribute to the treatment of people with this condition."