Scotland’s national business support service is spotlighting the pioneering business as part of this year’s National Innovation Week

A breakthrough in assistive technology for people living with Parkinson’s disease is reaching more patients thanks to business support provided to StrydAR, the pioneering business behind a world-first pair of medical glasses designed to reduce the impact of Parkinson’s symptoms.

StrydAR’s innovative glasses use visual cueing technology to project a simple horizontal line into the wearer’s upper peripheral vision. This bypasses the impaired part of the brain and sends a signal directly to the motor cortex, leading to improved posture, balance and the quality of walking. The scientifically-proven technique can also reduce freezing episodes, which are a leading cause of falls for people with Parkinson’s.

Unlike invasive treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), StrydAR’s glasses offer an instant, non-invasive improvement across all four stages of Parkinson’s, with a pilot study by Robert Gordon University showing that 70% of participants reported perceived moderate to life-changing benefits.

At present, the Parkinson’s Walking Glasses are not available with prescription lenses. This means that patients who normally wear glasses will need to remove them before using the device and allow a short adjustment period before walking. The team is working with an optical specialist, Oxford Opticals, to develop a prescription option. 

The business, which currently serves 60 patients across the globe, has been featured in Parkinson’s UK’s Tech Guide, and is currently the only business in the world offering this medically-certified product.

To improve patient access and support, StrydAR has recently enhanced its online service after its founder, Scott McLeod, who is based in Lossiemouth, approached Business Gateway for support. With backing from his local adviser, Lorna Williamson, Scott successfully secured a £5,000 digital grant to develop an AI assistant for StrydAR’s website and streamline customer management through automation. This upgrade has made it easier for patients and families to explore the glasses and received tailored guidance.

Business Gateway also connected Scott with a specialist business consultant, Evelyn Walker, who is currently helping him and his team develop a new business plan as StrydAR continues to grow.

Scott McLeod, founder, StrydAR, said:

“Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological disorder, affecting over 10 million people globally, with no cure yet available. Our glasses really are transforming lives – the moment our customers put them on, they can notice a difference."

“Thanks to the guidance and support we’ve received from Business Gateway, we’ve been able to strengthen our online service and focus on scaling our impact, making the technology simpler and responding directly to the needs of people with Parkinson’s.”

Lorna Williamson, Business Gateway adviser, said:

“We’re very proud to have been supporting the team at StrydAR on their business journey. The business is a shining example of how innovative technology, guided by lived experience and scientific research, can deliver real and lasting improvements for people with long-term conditions.”