Melinda Hu
team 3 poster.png

Optimeyes

Up to 25% of children in the U.S. have undetected vision problems. Optimeyes sought to tackle this problem by offering a mobile vision-screening application catered to children.

This app contained (1) a series of vision tests and (2) a channel to connect with an optometrist through in-person or virtual appointments. 

This startup idea was born at the 2015 MIT Launch summer program, where I served as the CEO and designer of my team (I created the above poster in addition to our app wireframes). I led my team in customer research: we conducted surveys in the st

This startup idea was born at the 2015 MIT Launch summer program, where I served as the CEO and designer of my team (I created the above poster in addition to our app wireframes).

I led my team in customer research: we conducted surveys in the streets of Cambridge and cold-called eye doctors. In addition to infiltrating online mom groups, I even stood outside the local JCC to talk to mothers, our target customers.

When an eye doctor told us that she could actually conduct 70% of her appointments virtually, we knew our idea had potential.

While designing, I paid attention to making the tests child-friendly and the app convenient, accessible, and professional for the children’s parents. As this was my first time creating wireframes, I spent hours researching and iterating on my design

While designing, I paid attention to making the tests child-friendly and the app convenient, accessible, and professional for the children’s parents. As this was my first time creating wireframes, I spent hours researching and iterating on my designs.

After creating a basic prototype on InVision, I began UI/UX testing, having strangers give us feedback on the app’s design.

At the conclusion of the program, my teammate and I pitched our idea to a panel of MIT entrepreneurs and investors. See the full pitch deck here . Launching Optimeyes was my first foray into the world of entrepreneurship (I had always been a scien

At the conclusion of the program, my teammate and I pitched our idea to a panel of MIT entrepreneurs and investors. See the full pitch deck here.

Launching Optimeyes was my first foray into the world of entrepreneurship (I had always been a science kid), and motivated me to apply to Wharton and pursue entrepreneurship there.

I became truly excited - and I still am excited - by the process of creating a startup and by the possibilities for impact when one combines business, healthcare, and social impact.