Revolutionary screening tool is launched

Hopes to eradicate preventable blindness across the world took a step forward this week with the release of a lens-free ophthalmoscope.

The device, called the Optyse, was launched on November 3 at the Medical Futures Innovations Awards in London by a Cambridge-based specialist in instruments for use in ophthalmoscopy.

Two years ago, while in development, the instrument  was the overall winner and winner of Best Innovation to Improve Global Healthcare at the Medical Futures Innovation Awards. The device is being showcased in London before it becomes generally available at the end of the month.
The Optyse has a single viewing system that simplifies the retinal screening procedure by eliminating the need to adjust lens and aperture settings, which is a key factor associated with the low use of standard direct ophthalmoscopes.

Supplier Ophthalmos said that this simplicity not only made the Optyse an ideal tool for retinal screening in general, but also for training medical and nursing students.

Optyse inventor Dr Roger Armour said: 'By eliminating the need to calibrate lenses for a clear view of the back of the eye, our lens-free technology has resulted in a unique, simple and effective device that provides comparable performance to standard direct ophthalmoscopes.'
Laura Garcia, chief executive officer at Ophthalmos, said: 'Recognising that 90 per cent of all blind people live in the poorest sections of the developing world, we have extended our focus beyond the healthcare setting of the developed countries.

'Its ease of use and ability to obtain a clear view of the retina will make it easier for these organisations to train local workers to assist with the large number of screenings that must be done in order to meet the goal of eliminating unnecessary blindness by 2020,' she added.