There have been a couple of interesting pieces of news and developments this week. Not ‘stop press’ sort of stuff, but they show a direction of travel that practitioners should be aware of.
Zeiss Vision Care has launched a vision screening app (7 Days) that assesses five different components of vision – visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, colour vision, astigmatism and central visual fields. Zeiss quite rightly recognises that digital technology now occupies more of our everyday lives but, crucially, has made the link between how we use digital devices for our health and fitness. Eye health should absolutely be a part of that suite of health products and Zeiss will use the app to drive patients to location optometrists for a full comprehensive eye exam.
Where screening technology becomes a little murkier is when they’re deployed by companies to drive patients to their own outlets, websites or partners.
Ace & Tate is the latest company to roll out distance vision testing in conjunction with Dutch digital developer, easee. The site’s test checks whether the user’s current spectacle prescription is still suitable. If it is, the user is told as much and pointed towards the company’s frame range. If variation is detected, then users are asked to make an appointment for a sight test.
While Ace & Tate’s software merely screens vision, easee has been using its software to carry out refraction in mainland Europe for some time now. During that process, it has earned CE approval, a TUV rating and the company says it has the clinical research to show its exam is as accurate as ‘traditional refraction.’ Credentials that are likely to rank highly with consumers.
The company partners with several online brands other than Ace & Tate, including Mister Spex and Selectspecs, but the relationship with Grandvision is perhaps the most interesting, where trials have been active in Poland and Finland. And yes, that is the Grandvision that was recently acquired by EssilorLuxxottica.