Diabetic autofluorescence screening with the ClearPath DS-120

Last year Optician reported on how a new technology showed great promise as a means of highlighting those patients in primary care at greater risk of developing pre-diabetes and ultimately, without intervention, the onset of diabetic complications.

The ClearPath DS-120 (Figure 1, Freedom Meditech, UK distributor Grafton Optical) is a non-invasive table-top test that detects and evaluates the autofluorescence of the crystalline lens. The instrument received FDA approval last year and is already used by optometrists in the US. The unit consists of a blue (465nm) LED excitation light with a 430-470nm band pass filter, a sequence of focusing lenses and other filters, and a silicone photomultiplier light detector. It has a similar footfall and appearance to most pre-screening instrumentation.