ELOC launches at Campus Groningen: a fresh vision on eye care. New primary eye care center speeds up patient treatment
We 19 November 2025
The pressure on eye care is increasing. Waiting times are growing, while an ageing population drives up demand for ophthalmic care. Two professionals decided it was time for change. From the Meditech Center at the Healthy Ageing Campus Groningen, Wietse Wieringa and Moritsz Schelwald have been building ELOC (Eerstelijns Oogheelkundig Centrum, or Primary Eye Care Center) since June 1, 2025. This new center relieves the burden on secondary care, supports primary care providers, and helps patients access the right care more quickly.
“The demand for eye care is rising, but hospital capacity remains limited,” says Wietse Wieringa, optician, optometrist and physician assistant. He currently works as a physician assistant in ophthalmology at Ommelander Hospital (OZG) in Scheemda and is co-founder of ELOC. “We saw that ophthalmic care could be improved through strong collaboration between general practitioners and ophthalmologists. That’s where the difference begins.”
Working together for shorter care pathways
At ELOC, the optometrist plays a central role between GP and ophthalmologist. General practitioners can quickly refer patients with eye complaints to ELOC, where highly trained optometrists perform the necessary examinations. The results are then shared with the GP and, if needed, with the ophthalmologist.
ELOC’s optometrists have extensive clinical experience and are trained to recognize eye disorders. Their expertise goes far beyond that of a typical store-based optician: they have in-depth experience with pathological conditions and pursue ongoing education to ensure diagnostic quality. This means patients receive the right care immediately, without the commercial pressures of retail.
"The GP remains in control, the patient gets clarity faster, and specialist care is relieved"
Moritsz SchelwaldCo-owner of ELOC
Faster help for patients
Moritsz Schelwald trained as an optician and optometrist and also runs his own optical practice in Vinkhuizen. About five years ago, he started a pilot project that Wieringa later joined. “It may sound simple, but this model requires trust and clear agreements,” says Schelwald. “From the start, we worked closely with all stakeholders, including GPs, ophthalmologists, and health insurer Menzis. That has created a solid foundation, both in terms of quality and financing.”
That collaboration is paying off. Thanks to shorter communication lines, patients are helped more quickly, and unnecessary hospital referrals are avoided. Results from the pilot showed that out of ten patients who would normally be referred by their GP to an ophthalmologist, about eight could be treated through ELOC. “The GP remains in control, the patient gets clarity faster, and specialist care is relieved. A key benefit for everyone involved,” Schelwald explains.
Setting a new standard in primary eye care
ELOC stands out through its combination of medical expertise and entrepreneurship. All optometrists are clinically trained and work according to strict protocols. At the same time, the organization is structured to prioritize quality above all.
“We deliberately separate care from commerce,” Wieringa explains. “The optometrist determines the care, not the entrepreneur. That’s how we ensure the patient’s best interest always comes first.” This careful approach has already earned ELOC a strong network in the north of the Netherlands. The company continues to grow steadily, while keeping its focus. “Quality and collaboration come before everything else,” says Schelwald.
Innovation at the Healthy Ageing Campus
The choice to establish at the Healthy Ageing Campus was a deliberate one. “We wanted to be close to knowledge and innovation,” says Wieringa. “On the campus, healthcare, research, and technology come together. That perfectly fits our ambition.”
ELOC also applies artificial intelligence (AI) for image analysis and triage. “AI can help recognize patterns in retinal images,” explains Schelwald. “But we see it as a support tool, not a replacement. The optometrist remains the one who sees the patient and understands the full context.”
"We deliberately separate care from commerce. The optometrist determines the care, not the entrepreneur"
Wietse WieringaCo-owner of ELOC
Looking ahead
The founders expect their approach to inspire similar initiatives in eye care. “What we’re doing here in the province of Groningen for primary eye care can be applied elsewhere in the Netherlands,” says Wieringa. “By strengthening the first line, you make the entire care chain more efficient. That’s the future of healthcare.”
From Groningen, ELOC aims to further drive that change. “We’re proud to be doing this from the north of the Netherlands,” concludes Schelwald. “The Campus offers the ideal environment: short communication lines, an open culture, and the shared drive to make healthcare better together.”
Text source: Campus Groningen (author: Marlies Schipperheijn) Image source: ELOC
Op zondag 31 mei 2026 staat Groningen in het teken van sport, doorzettingsvermogen en betrokkenheid. Tussen alle lopers is ook het herkenbare roze van Vrienden Beatrix Kinderziekenhuis zichtbaar.
The LIFE Cooperative, part of the Northern Netherlands life sciences ecosystem at Campus Groningen, is organizing the Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon together with FIGON on Thursday, 26 February. This fully booked event brings together leading scientists and industry experts to explore the latest developments in innovative medicines and advanced drug delivery. Read the full article as published by the LIFE Cooperative.National Attention for Sold-Out Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon: Innovative Medicines and Advanced Drug Delivery Take Center Stage in Groningen Innovation in medicines takes center stage on Thursday, 26 February during the Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon, an inspiring event organized by FIGON (Federation for Innovative Drug Research Netherlands) in collaboration with the LIFE Cooperative. “We are extremely proud of the strong line-up at this event, bringing together leading experts from science and industry to explore the frontiers of drug development. The fact that registrations are already fully booked underlines the great importance of this event for the life sciences ecosystem, and in particular for the Northern Netherlands,” says Ronald Hesse, Director of the LIFE Cooperative. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon brings together scientists, innovators, and professionals from across the Netherlands for an afternoon of insights, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities. The speaker line-up features experts from both academia and industry. This event is already fully booked. Interested in joining the waiting list? Please email: amber@lifecooperative.nlConnecting force The afternoon will be opened by Prof. Klaas Poelstra of the University of Groningen (RUG), Chair of FIGON, who will outline the importance of innovative drug development in the Netherlands. This will be followed by an introduction by Robert Hof on behalf of the LIFE Cooperative, highlighting the cooperative’s role as a connecting force within the regional ecosystem. The first session block before the break focuses on innovation in drug delivery systems. Rob Steendam (CTO, InnoCore) will discuss the development of long-acting SynBiosys® microspheres for controlled and sustained drug release. Jaap Wieling (CEO, PureIMS) will present the potential of dry-powder inhalation via the Cyclops® technology for both pulmonary and systemic indications. From an academic perspective, Prof. Marleen Kamperman (University of Groningen) will explore the potential of polyelectrolyte coacervates as innovative drug delivery platforms.Deep dive After the break, the focus shifts to advanced nanomedicines and clinical development strategies. Dr. Flávia Sousa (RUG) will present her work on polymer-based nanomedicines for the delivery of biotherapeutics to the brain. Dr. Ad Roffel (ICON plc, Groningen) will address mass balance and absolute bioavailability studies with ¹⁴C-labeled drugs in humans, an essential component of clinical drug development. Prof. Erik Frijlink (RUG) will reflect on the value of innovation within both established and advanced drug delivery systems, placing technological progress in a broader pharmaceutical context. Finally, Prof. Helder Santos (RUG) will demonstrate how nanomedicines are being used for RNA delivery in myocardial infarction repair, a promising development in cardiovascular therapy. “We are extremely proud of the strong line-up at this event, bringing together leading experts from science and industry to explore the frontiers of drug development. The fact that registrations are already fully booked underlines the great importance of this event for the life sciences ecosystem, and in particular for the Northern Netherlands." - Ronald Hesse, director LIFE CooperativeClosing and networking The afternoon will conclude with a contribution by Peter Ketelaar (LIFE Cooperative), followed by closing remarks from Prof. Klaas Poelstra. Participants will then have the opportunity to connect and continue discussions during the networking reception. Hesse looks forward to the event: “With this event, FIGON and the LIFE Cooperative underline the strength of collaboration between academia, industry, and clinical practice. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon promises not only to be an inspiring afternoon, but also to provide momentum for further innovation and collaboration within the Northern Netherlands life sciences ecosystem.” Text: lifecooperative.nlPhotographer: Casper Maas
The master plan for the Healthy Ageing Campus has officially been approved! This marks an important step in developing the campus as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. With a focus on greenery, health, and connection to the city, the campus will become a vibrant environment where research, education, healthcare, and business come together. The vision provides space for new laboratories, building renovations, meeting places, and closer collaboration between UMCG, RUG, and the business community. Read the whole article by the UMCG below.Green light for the Healthy Ageing Campus Master Plan On Wednesday, 18 February 2026, the Groningen City Council formally approved the master plan for the Healthy Ageing Campus. This is a major milestone, as the plan provides the framework for the campus’s further development and its integration with the surrounding area. At the end of last year, the University of Groningen (RUG), the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), and the City of Groningen presented an ambitious, future-proof plan for the campus. Shared ambitions have been translated into coherent spatial and programmatic guidelines for current and future developments. In other words: how much space is available for which functions on the campus, and where is the most suitable location for them? The renewed campus will: Provide space for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, encouraging interaction between disciplines and people; Connect with the city, making the campus a natural part of Groningen life; Be a healthy and sustainable environment, with attention to greenery, physical activity, wellbeing, and a living environment that supports health; Be lively and accessible, bringing together living, working, research, studying, and healthcare.Next steps The master plan is not only a blueprint for the future, but also a concrete step toward further developing the current campus. Construction and renovation on the UMCG and RUG grounds are ongoing, and each project must now be assessed to determine what is possible. With the approval of this master plan, the way is cleared for follow-up decisions, including applying for demolition and building permits and further project development within the area. Upcoming projects include: The construction of the Central Laboratory for Diagnostics and Research (CLDR): a new laboratory building on the site of the former UCP building. This building will bring together various laboratories in one location to improve collaboration. Relocating laboratories from the Central Medical Complex is also necessary for the renovation and expansion of several hospital departments; Renovation and future-proofing of existing UMCG and RUG buildings, with attention to sustainability, flexibility, and integration with the heating/cooling system; Making the campus greener and more accessible, creating new meeting places and better connections to surrounding public spaces; Creating space for campus-related business activities, strengthening collaboration between UMCG, RUG, and the private sector.Municipality explores the future of DOT Initially, the master plan covered the area between Petrus Campersingel and Oostersingel, from Hanzeplein to the Oosterhamrikkanaal. In the newly approved plan, the Bodenterrein site has been separated, as the municipality is investigating the costs of possibly preserving DOT. More information on this will be available later this year. Read more about the Master Plan.Source text and pictures: umcg.nl
