HARMAN and HelpMeSee Reducing Blindness on a Global Scale

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

HARMAN HAR, the premier connected technologies company for the automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, announced today its role in developing an enterprise software solution for simulation-based training management with HelpMeSee, the global campaign to end cataract blindness. This Training Management System software is a critical component of the complete training system designed by HelpMeSee to support delivery of the standardized manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) training program, which will support the education of thousands of cataract specialists to perform vision-restoring cataract surgery.

"As the need for cataract surgeries continues to rise, it's important that we partner with companies like HARMAN to develop technology to support our simulation-based program to train cataract specialists in high-quality, affordable surgeries," said Jacob Mohan Thazhathu, president and chief executive officer of HelpMeSee.

The surgery takes approximately five minutes to complete per eye. Though the procedure is relatively quick and low-cost, many people in the developing world suffering from cataract blindness do not have access to this sight-restoring surgery. This simulator-based training management system will help train the thousands of cataract specialists needed in order to make these surgeries available globally to more than 20 million people blinded by cataracts.

HelpMeSee has employed HARMAN's software services to develop a simulation-based training management system for delivering standardized cataract surgery training. The system includes an application that allows development of a library of pre-configured training scenarios that are presented to trainee specialists. Using these scenarios, it is possible for trainees to learn, practice and become experts at performing surgical tasks and the MSICS procedure. It provides a wide range of training tools and features that includes:

• Recording and monitoring surgical performance on the Eye Surgical Simulator
• Reporting of cataract specialist's proficiency level through each stage of training
• Expediting the completion of surgical training in less than six months, significantly reducing the time required for acquiring surgical skills and qualifying for independent surgery

HelpMeSee plans to offer the training program at select training centers around the world, supporting the ability to deliver high-quality, high-volume cataract surgeries and successfully meeting the challenge of eliminating avoidable blindness due to cataracts around the world.

"As software services become a critical component for many industries, from health care to communications to automotive, technology-savvy companies are increasingly turning to HARMAN for advanced and proven cloud, mobility and analytics solutions that enable stronger and more fulfilling experiences across connected enterprises, connected homes and connected cars," said Sanjay Dhawan, president, HARMAN Connected Services. "We are extremely proud to play a role in HelpMeSee's incredible mission to train more cataract specialists, and ultimately improve the lives of their patients around the world."

About HelpMeSee

HelpMeSee (helpmesee.org) is a global campaign to end cataract blindness - the leading cause of blindness worldwide. HelpMeSee is developing advanced simulation based training to meet the increasing demands for cataract surgeries worldwide. To support this, HelpMeSee is pioneering a virtual reality surgical simulator and training program adapted from extensive experience in simulator based aviation training. Since 2012, the campaign has supported over 248,000 surgeries through 242 partner surgeons across India, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Madagascar, Togo, Sierra Leone, Peru and The Gambia. HelpMeSee is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and was recognized among the top 10 most innovative social enterprises as a winner of the 2016 Classy Awards.

About HARMAN

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and connected services. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. The Company's software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 29,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $6.7 billion during the 12 months ended March 31, 2016. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.

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