How New Eye Exam Technology Is Transforming Vision Care

According to the World Health Organization, roughly 2.2 billion people across the globe have some type of visual impairment, and yet nearly half of these cases could have been prevented or have yet to be addressed because of insufficient technology or resources. One cannot simply peer into the eye and see a retinal detachment, macular degeneration, early-stage glaucoma, or other eye diseases. New eye exam technology provides the most accurate optical measurements yet, offering a more sophisticated, detailed view of the structural layers of the eye.

Traditional eye exams cannot catch diseases in the early stages, nor can they deliver accurate prescriptions encompassing the patient’s full vision health needs. By utilizing advanced technology, an eye doctor can conduct comprehensive eye exams for better patient outcomes. Below, our team from Weave goes over the latest imaging technology breakthroughs in the field so your practice can stay up to date.

The Shift From Traditional to Digital Eye Exam Methodologies

Traditional eye exam techniques rely on the skill and precision of the eye doctor, leaving much to chance. Common methods for traditional eye exams include the following:

• Manual phoropters: Phoropters measure refractive errors of the eye to help eye doctors determine eyewear prescriptions. While these devices can aid in the optical prescription process, they do not always provide accurate results, as manual errors can occur.
• Ophthalmoscopes: Ophthalmoscopes allow eye health professionals to view the inside of the patient’s eyes to potentially detect eye diseases such as glaucoma or diabetic retinal disease. The flashlight lens often cannot provide a clear enough view of the retina and optic nerve for providers to detect early signs of eye disease.

Digital eye exam technology offers greater accuracy, faster results, and enhanced patient comfort. By moving away from the traditional eye exam methods, patients no longer have to worry about potential errors in the diagnostic technique or their provider’s manual measurements.

So, what is the best technology for eye exams?

Here are some of the top digital eye exam technologies:

• Digital phoropters: Manual phoropters require heavy hands-on time as providers must manually set patient data into the refractor, which can lead to human error. Digital phoropter technologies streamline the exam process while reducing error risks to deliver more accurate, faster measurements with automated data collection. Patients can get the right prescription glasses while your practice enjoys better efficiency with this new eye exam technology.
• CLARIFYE: CLARIFYE is a multi-step comprehensive digital eye exam that maps the entire eye health footprint for personalized diagnoses and treatments. It can test visual acuity, detect glaucoma or macular degeneration, evaluate nighttime vision, provide patients with educational tools, and deliver highly accurate contact lens prescriptions. The CLARIFYE eye exam cost typically ranges from $50 to $200, providing patients with superb value considering the comprehensive eye exams you’re providing.

The AI Eye Exam: A Game-Changer for Everything From Precise Contact Lenses to Preventative Diagnostics

Cutting-edge technology in eye care goes far beyond CLARIFYE eye exams and automated tests. As artificial intelligence continues evolving, we’re seeing a change in healthcare. Practitioners can now leverage AI in their comprehensive assessment process to analyze large data sets more efficiently.

While we may not have a literal AI eye exam conducting visual field test measures on patients without a doctor in the room, we do have technology that can greatly enhance your practice’s efficiency. For example, companies like Digital Diagnostics and Eyenuk offer FDA-approved AI-based diabetic retinopathy exams that can analyze images of patients’ eyes in just seconds. The AI-based digital eye exam views retinal images and flags patients with potential diabetic retinopathy in about one minute per image.

After returning results, providers can quickly focus on patients with concerning retinal structures. Manually interpreting an optical coherence tomography scan could take around 40 minutes, but AI can perform the task accurately in only seconds, revolutionizing early detection and prompt, personalized treatments.

The Advanced Technology Breakthroughs Transforming Eye Care Today

We continue to see new eye exam technology emerge as researchers attempt to achieve higher-resolution pictures for the early diagnosis of retinal diseases. So, what is the latest technology in eye exams? The following are some of the most advanced technologies transforming eye care today:

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, painless test using light waves to capture 3D, color-coded, cross-sectional images of the retina and eye interior. With this test, practitioners can analyze the optic nerve and other retinal structures to detect conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration early on. OCT uses light waves rather than sound waves for high-resolution imaging.

With the advanced scanning laser, the entire test takes only minutes. Using fully synced electronic medical records, providers can leverage a real-time optical biopsy to track retinal changes or concerns over time.

Digital Retinal Imaging

Digital retinal imaging is a noninvasive method for capturing detailed images of the retina. For example, ultra-wide field retinal imaging can capture up to 200 degrees of the retinal surface area. Many digital eye exams can aid in diagnosing diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Visual Field Testing

Advanced visual field testing can assess peripheral vision to detect blind spots and other indicators for diseases. Unlike traditional eye exams, digital technologies do not involve eye drops and only require patients to place their face on a comfortable chin rest. A comprehensive digital eye exam might also include corneal topography to determine the need for refractive surgery or visual testing for contact lenses.

The Future of Eye Exams: What’s Next?

Digital eye exams and other technologies continue to revolutionize eye care. The latest technology for eye lenses, for example, equips patients with smart contact lenses or AI-powered glasses, allowing for continuous treatment monitoring. These personalized solutions can reduce the need for digital eye exams as their devices will automatically adjust to their viewing needs.

Today, the new technology to improve eyesight might be LASIK or AI-powered contacts. Five years from now, we could have even better, more accurate solutions for personalized, corrective vision treatments we cannot yet imagine.

Ongoing technological advancements improve patient outcomes and practice effectiveness. You can stay updated on the latest developments in the eye health field by attending ophthalmology conferences or continuing education courses. In doing so, you can learn everything from the right digital eye exam cost to set at your practice to the latest corneal topography tech in eye care.

At Weave, we’re passionate about helping you stay informed and efficient. After incorporating new eye exam technology into your practice, we invite you to watch our webinar to learn about our innovative software solutions to keep everything running smoothly.

Lessons in Opening an Eye Care Practice – Weave Webinar