Featured This month
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Early Glaucoma Detection Challenges and Solutions
Maria Martynova
09.04.202310 min readGlaucoma’s silent progression highlights a challenge we all face as clinicians. Millions of individuals remain at risk for irreversible vision loss due to undiagnosed disease – 50% or more of all cases. This emphasizes our responsibility to enhance early detection strategies for this sight-threatening condition.
Existing clinical, structural, and functional tests depend on both baseline exams and the need to observe changes over time, delaying the assessment of treatment effectiveness and the identification of rapid progression.
In this article, we will consolidate our knowledge as eye care professionals about Glaucoma, explore current clinical detection practices, and discuss potential areas to optimize early detection.
FDA-cleared AI-powered OCT Glaucoma Risk Assessment
What we know about Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a complex neurodegeneration fundamentally linked to changes occurring in two locations: the anterior eye (elevated pressure) and the posterior eye (optic neuropathy). Factors influencing glaucoma development include:
- age,
- ethnicity,
- family history,
- corneal thickness,
- blood pressure,
- cerebrospinal fluid pressure,
- intraocular pressure (IOP),
- and vascular dysregulation.
Early stages of Glaucoma are often asymptomatic, highlighting the importance of comprehensive eye exams, even without apparent vision issues. Current diagnostic criteria are insufficient and lack markers of early disease.
Glaucoma is broadly divided into primary and secondary types, with primary open-angle Glaucoma (POAG) representing approximately three-quarters (74%) of all glaucoma cases.
Primary glaucomas develop independently of other eye conditions, while secondary glaucomas arise as a complication of various eye diseases, injuries, or medications.
POAG is characterized by an open iridocorneal angle, IOP usually > 21 mmHg, and optic neuropathy. Risk factors include age (over 50), African ancestry, and elevated IOP. While IOP is a significant factor, it’s unpredictable – some patients with high IOP don’t develop Glaucoma, and some glaucoma progresses even at normal IOP.
Normal-tension Glaucoma (NTG) shares POAG’s optic nerve degeneration but with consistently normal IOP levels (<21mmHg). Vascular dysregulation and low blood pressure are risk factors. While rarer than POAG, IOP lowering can still be beneficial.
Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma (PACG) is caused by narrowing the iridocorneal angle, blocking aqueous humor flow. More common in East Asian populations, it can be acute (severe symptoms, IOP often > 30mmHg) or chronic.
Secondary glaucomas are caused by underlying conditions that elevate IOP. Examples include pseudoexfoliative, neovascular, pigmentary, and steroid-induced Glaucoma.
Age is a central risk factor for glaucoma progression, linked to cellular senescence, oxidative stress, and reduced resilience in retinal ganglion cells and the trabecular meshwork. Intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the most significant modifiable risk factor. Understanding individual susceptibility to IOP-related damage is crucial. Existing IOP-lowering treatments have limitations in both efficacy and side effects.
Glaucoma has a strong genetic component, with complex interactions between genes, signaling pathways, and environmental stressors. For now, we know that mutations in each of three genes, myocilin (MYOC), optineurin (OPTN), and TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1), may cause primary open-angle Glaucoma (POAG), which is inherited as a Mendelian trait and is responsible for ~5% of cases (Mendelian genes in primary open-angle Glaucoma).
More extensive effect mutations are rare, and more minor variants are common. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) reveal additional genes potentially involved in pressure sensitivity, mechanotransduction, and metabolic signaling.
Recent research also suggests a window of potential reversibility even at late stages of apoptosis (a programmed cell death pathway, which is likely the final step in RGC loss). Cells may recover if the harmful stimulus is removed. This offers hope that dysfunctional but not yet dead RGCs could be rescued.
The Challenges of Early Glaucoma Detection
One of the most insidious aspects of Glaucoma is its largely asymptomatic nature, especially in the early stages. This highlights the limitations of relying on symptoms alone and underscores the importance of proactive detection strategies.
Relying on intraocular pressure (IOP) as a stand-alone glaucoma biomarker leads to missed diagnoses, especially in patients with normal-tension Glaucoma. Structural changes, such as optic disc cupping, also lack the desired sensitivity and specificity for early detection.
Optic nerve head evaluations remain subjective, with studies indicating that even experienced ophthalmologists can underestimate or overestimate glaucoma likelihood.
According to the research, even experienced clinicians can have difficulty evaluating the optic disc for Glaucoma. Both trainees and comprehensive ophthalmologists have been found to underestimate glaucoma likelihood in approximately 20% of disc photos. They may also misjudge risk due to factors like variations in cup-to-disc ratio, subtle RNFL atrophy, or disc hemorrhages.
Current Glaucoma Diagnosis in Clinical Practice
Eye care professionals typically encounter new glaucoma diagnoses in one of two ways:
- Firstly, during routine preventive examinations. A patient may come in for various reasons, including work requirements, and be found to have elevated intraocular pressure. This finding prompts further evaluation, potentially leading to a glaucoma diagnosis.
- Secondly, it is a finding in older patients (often over 50-60). A patient may present with significant vision loss in one eye, and examination reveals Glaucoma. Unfortunately, vision loss at this stage is often irreversible.
Alternatively, a patient may seek care for an unrelated eye problem. During the comprehensive examination, the eye care professional may discover changes suggestive of Glaucoma.
As it is statistically prevalent, we most often work with primary Glaucoma, where no other underlying eye diseases are present. Functional changes, specifically as seen on visual field testing, help diagnose and stage glaucoma. During the test, a patient indicates which light signals are visible within their field of vision, building a map of each eye’s visual function.
Vision Field Test for Glaucoma Detection
As the optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain and each part of the retina transmits data via a corresponding set of fibers within the optic nerve, damage to specific nerve fibers results in loss of the associated portion of the visual field.
Challenges with this test include its complexity, especially for older patients, and its subjective nature.
Changes in the visual field determine glaucoma severity. These changes indicate how much of the visual field is already damaged and which parts of the optic nerve are compromised. We call these ‘functional changes‘ as they directly impact visual function.
Fundus photo for Glaucoma detection
Alongside functional changes, Glaucoma causes visible structural changes in the optic nerve that can be observed during a fundus examination. The optic nerve begins at a point on the retina where all the nerve fibers gather, forming the optic disc (or optic nerve head). The nerve fibers are thickest near the optic disc, creating a depression or ‘hole’ within it. As Glaucoma progresses, this depression deepens due to increased pressure inside the eye. This pressure causes mechanical damage to the nerve fibers, leading to thinning and loss of function.
Another crucial area on the retina is the macula, which contains a high density of receptors responsible for image perception. While the entire retina senses images, the macula provides the sharpest, clearest vision. We use this area for tasks like reading, writing, and looking at fine details. Therefore, the damage to the macular area significantly impacts a patient’s visual quality and clarity. Nerve fibers carrying visual information from this crucial region are essential when evaluating the visual field. We prioritize assessing the macula’s health because it directly determines the quality of a patient’s central vision.
Unfortunately, even if the macula is healthy, damage to the nerve fibers transmitting its signals will still compromise vision.
Glaucoma OCT detection
The most effective way to get information about nerve states is OCT, which allows us to penetrate deep into the layers to see the nerve fiber layer separately, making it possible to assess the extent of damage and thinning to this layer in much more detail.
The Glaucoma OCT test provides valuable information about ganglion cells. These cells form the nerve fiber layer and consist of a nucleus and two processes. The short process collects information from other retinal layers, forming the inner plexiform layer. The ganglion cell layer comprises the cell nuclei, while the long processes extend out to create the nerve fiber layer.
Damage to the ganglion cells or their processes leads to thinning across these layers, which we can measure as the thickness of the ganglion cell complex. OCT often detects these microscopic changes before we can see them directly. This enables the detection of structural changes alongside the functional changes observed with standard visual field tests.
Ideally, OCT would be more widely accessible, as the human eye cannot detect early changes. However, how often a patient undergoes OCT depends on various factors. These include the doctor’s proficiency with the technology, the patient’s financial situation (as OCT can be expensive), and the overall clinical picture.
Ways to Enhance Early Glaucoma Detection
We surveyed eye care specialists, and there was a strong consensus that the most efficient ways to boost early glaucoma detection are regular eye check-ups (47%) and utilizing AI technology (40%). Educating patients was considered less significant (13%).
AI as a second opinion tool
AI offers valuable insights into glaucoma detection, analyzing changes that may not be visible to the naked eye or even on standard OCT imaging.
The Altris AI Early Glaucoma Risk Assessment Module specifically focuses on analyzing the ganglion cell complex, measuring its thickness, and identifying any thinning or asymmetry. These measurements help determine a patient’s glaucoma risk. If the ganglion cell complex has an average thickness and is symmetrical throughout the macula, the module will assign a low probability of Glaucoma.
Asymmetries or variations in thickness increase the calculated risk, indicated by a yellow result color. Glaucoma GCC is often characterized by thinning or asymmetry, suggesting glaucomatous atrophy, indicating a high risk, and triggering a red result color.
Changes are labeled as ‘risk’ rather than a diagnosis, as other clinical factors contribute to a confirmed glaucoma diagnosis. Indicators of atrophy could also signal different optic nerve problems, such as those caused by inflammation, trauma, or even conditions within the brain.
It’s crucial to remember that AI glaucoma detection tools like this are assistive – they cannot independently make a diagnosis. Similarly, while helpful in assessing risk, they cannot completely rule out the possibility of developing a disease. This limitation stems from their reliance on a limited set of indicators. Like other technical devices, the module helps flag potential pathology but does not replace the clinician’s judgment.
AI can be incredibly valuable as a supplemental tool, especially during preventive exams or alongside other tests, to catch possible early signs of concern. However, medicine remains a field with inherent variability. While we strive for precise measurements, individual patients, not just statistical averages, must be considered.
Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect devices to provide definitive diagnoses without the context of a complete clinical picture.
Public Health Education
The asymptomatic nature of Glaucoma in its early stages, paired with limited public awareness, creates a fundamental barrier to early detection.
For example, 76% of Swiss survey respondents could not correctly describe Glaucoma or associate it with eye health.
A Canadian study similarly shows that less than a quarter of participants understand eye care professionals’ roles correctly and that most people are unaware eye diseases can be asymptomatic.
Crucially, these studies also found a strong desire across populations for more information about eye care, including Glaucoma (e.g., 97% of Swiss respondents agreed the public lacks knowledge, and 71% want more information). This indicates a receptive audience for targeted education initiatives.
Health education programs, like the USA EQUALITY study, demonstrate the potential to address this challenge. This study combined accessible eye care settings with a culturally sensitive eye health education program, targeting communities with high percentages of individuals at risk for Glaucoma.
Participants showed significant improvements in both glaucoma knowledge (a 62% increase in knowledge questions) and positive attitudes toward the importance of regular eye care (52% improvement).
These results show us that improving glaucoma detection involves more than medical tools. Successful education strategies should prioritize community outreach, partnering with community centers, primary care clinics, and local organizations to reach those lacking access or awareness of regular eye care.
Information about Glaucoma must be presented clearly and accessible, focusing on the basics—what Glaucoma is, its risk factors, and the importance of early detection. Addressing common misconceptions, such as the belief that Glaucoma can’t be present if vision is good, is crucial, as is targeting high-risk groups, including older adults, those with a family history of Glaucoma, and certain ethnicities.
Screening Programs and Regular visits
Community-based studies consistently demonstrate the benefits of targeted screening programs for early glaucoma detection in high-risk populations.
These programs are essential, as traditional glaucoma screening methods often miss individuals with undetected disease.
The USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded SIGHT studies focused on underserved communities, including those in urban areas with high poverty rates (MI-SIGHT, Michigan), residents of public housing and senior centers (NYC-SIGHT, New York), and the rural regions with limited access to specialist eye care (AL-SIGHT, Alabama). These programs successfully reached populations who often don’t have regular eye care.
Notably, the results across all three studies demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted programs – approximately 25% of participants screened positive for Glaucoma or suspected Glaucoma.
The SIGHT studies recognize that screening is just the first step, highlighting the importance of follow-up care, testing ways to improve follow-through, using strategies like personalized education, patient navigators, financial incentives, and providing free eyeglasses when needed.
Summing up
FDA-cleared AI-powered OCT Glaucoma Risk Assessment
Glaucoma’s insidious nature demands better early detection strategies. While existing methods are essential, we must also invest in new technologies like AI, enhance public health education about Glaucoma, and focus on targeted screening within at-risk populations. Combining these approaches can protect sight and reduce the burden of glaucoma-related blindness.
-
Effective Eye Care Innovation: Altris AI for Eye Care Place
Altris AI
1 min.The Client: the Eye Care Place is an optometry center in Ohio, the United States. It is a renowned center that provides comprehensive eye examinations, infant and pediatric eye care, emergency care, LASIK evaluations, and cataract assessment. They offer precise personalized care plans to better treat and prevent ocular disease and chronic illness. Scott Sedlacek, the optometry center owner, is an experienced OD, an American Optometric Association member, and a true innovator who implemented AI for OCT in the optometry practice among the first in the USA.
The Problem: The Eye Care Place owner has always been searching for innovations to transform the center making it truly digital. The aim of the innovation was also to augment the analysis ability of the optometry specialists using it, while allowing for better visualization of the retinal layers affected for doctors and patients.
The Solution: The Altris AI system was introduced in the Eye Care Place and it transformed the practice making it more efficient. Scott Sedlacek, the owner of the optometry admits that:
“We are one of the first Optometry offices with this AI technology. It is amazing at detecting and defining pathology in the 3D digital images I take with my Topcon Maestro2 OCT. We use Image Net6 software to export Dicom files to Altris AI. It’s fast and easy. If you want the right diagnosis, right away, this is the way to go.
I’ve been using this technology on every patient every day since the beginning of January 2024. There is no other technology in my 25 years being an optometrist that was easier to implement and more impactful immediately.”
FDA-cleared AI for OCT analysis
ROI of the AI for OCT scan analysis
Many eye care specialists worry about the ROI of Altris AI: will the system pay off? After all, it is an investment. That is the experience of Scott, the owner of the Eye Place:
“Altris AI identified and described pathology that I could not. Early detection changes the treatment from doing nothing to something. Also, Altris AI described something that I thought was worse than it was. Saved me from over-referring. Patients love to see the color-coded images which help as an educational tool and get buy-in on the treatment plan which helps compliance. There is a wow factor for me and my patients that sets your practice apart from the others.”
Effective Eye Care Innovation: What Else?
Apart from AI for OCT analysis, the Eye Care Place utilizes advanced technology for diagnostics.
- For instance, 3D OCT equipment is a highly advanced screening system that checks for serious conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, vitreous detachments, and more. Using this technology we can simultaneously take a digital photograph and a 3-D cross-section of the retina.
- Additionally, AdaptDX Pro can detect macular degeneration earlier than by any other means.
- Cognivue Thrive is a personalized, consistent, and reliable way to receive an overall screening of brain health.It is interactive, non-invasive, self-administered, secure, and confidential. It is a five-minute screening for patients of all ages, and you get immediate results in a simple 1-page report.
These are just some examples of innovative tools that optometry centers can use to automate and improve the level of diagnostics. If you want to imagine how Optometry Centers might look like in 2040, here is the article for you. The future is here, and those centers that digitalize have more chances of winning the competition and the hearts of the clients, much like the Eye Place which is highly appreciated by patients.
As you see, effective eye care innovations are an integral part of the work of the Eye Care Place which is why Artificial Intelligence for OCT analysis was seamlessly integrated into the workflow of the optometry center.
popular Posted
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Early Glaucoma Detection Challenges and Solutions
Maria Martynova
09.04.202310 min readGlaucoma’s silent progression highlights a challenge we all face as clinicians. Millions of individuals remain at risk for irreversible vision loss due to undiagnosed disease – 50% or more of all cases. This emphasizes our responsibility to enhance early detection strategies for this sight-threatening condition.
Existing clinical, structural, and functional tests depend on both baseline exams and the need to observe changes over time, delaying the assessment of treatment effectiveness and the identification of rapid progression.
In this article, we will consolidate our knowledge as eye care professionals about Glaucoma, explore current clinical detection practices, and discuss potential areas to optimize early detection.
FDA-cleared AI-powered OCT Glaucoma Risk Assessment
What we know about Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a complex neurodegeneration fundamentally linked to changes occurring in two locations: the anterior eye (elevated pressure) and the posterior eye (optic neuropathy). Factors influencing glaucoma development include:
- age,
- ethnicity,
- family history,
- corneal thickness,
- blood pressure,
- cerebrospinal fluid pressure,
- intraocular pressure (IOP),
- and vascular dysregulation.
Early stages of Glaucoma are often asymptomatic, highlighting the importance of comprehensive eye exams, even without apparent vision issues. Current diagnostic criteria are insufficient and lack markers of early disease.
Glaucoma is broadly divided into primary and secondary types, with primary open-angle Glaucoma (POAG) representing approximately three-quarters (74%) of all glaucoma cases.
Primary glaucomas develop independently of other eye conditions, while secondary glaucomas arise as a complication of various eye diseases, injuries, or medications.
POAG is characterized by an open iridocorneal angle, IOP usually > 21 mmHg, and optic neuropathy. Risk factors include age (over 50), African ancestry, and elevated IOP. While IOP is a significant factor, it’s unpredictable – some patients with high IOP don’t develop Glaucoma, and some glaucoma progresses even at normal IOP.
Normal-tension Glaucoma (NTG) shares POAG’s optic nerve degeneration but with consistently normal IOP levels (<21mmHg). Vascular dysregulation and low blood pressure are risk factors. While rarer than POAG, IOP lowering can still be beneficial.
Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma (PACG) is caused by narrowing the iridocorneal angle, blocking aqueous humor flow. More common in East Asian populations, it can be acute (severe symptoms, IOP often > 30mmHg) or chronic.
Secondary glaucomas are caused by underlying conditions that elevate IOP. Examples include pseudoexfoliative, neovascular, pigmentary, and steroid-induced Glaucoma.
Age is a central risk factor for glaucoma progression, linked to cellular senescence, oxidative stress, and reduced resilience in retinal ganglion cells and the trabecular meshwork. Intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the most significant modifiable risk factor. Understanding individual susceptibility to IOP-related damage is crucial. Existing IOP-lowering treatments have limitations in both efficacy and side effects.
Glaucoma has a strong genetic component, with complex interactions between genes, signaling pathways, and environmental stressors. For now, we know that mutations in each of three genes, myocilin (MYOC), optineurin (OPTN), and TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1), may cause primary open-angle Glaucoma (POAG), which is inherited as a Mendelian trait and is responsible for ~5% of cases (Mendelian genes in primary open-angle Glaucoma).
More extensive effect mutations are rare, and more minor variants are common. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) reveal additional genes potentially involved in pressure sensitivity, mechanotransduction, and metabolic signaling.
Recent research also suggests a window of potential reversibility even at late stages of apoptosis (a programmed cell death pathway, which is likely the final step in RGC loss). Cells may recover if the harmful stimulus is removed. This offers hope that dysfunctional but not yet dead RGCs could be rescued.
The Challenges of Early Glaucoma Detection
One of the most insidious aspects of Glaucoma is its largely asymptomatic nature, especially in the early stages. This highlights the limitations of relying on symptoms alone and underscores the importance of proactive detection strategies.
Relying on intraocular pressure (IOP) as a stand-alone glaucoma biomarker leads to missed diagnoses, especially in patients with normal-tension Glaucoma. Structural changes, such as optic disc cupping, also lack the desired sensitivity and specificity for early detection.
Optic nerve head evaluations remain subjective, with studies indicating that even experienced ophthalmologists can underestimate or overestimate glaucoma likelihood.
According to the research, even experienced clinicians can have difficulty evaluating the optic disc for Glaucoma. Both trainees and comprehensive ophthalmologists have been found to underestimate glaucoma likelihood in approximately 20% of disc photos. They may also misjudge risk due to factors like variations in cup-to-disc ratio, subtle RNFL atrophy, or disc hemorrhages.
Current Glaucoma Diagnosis in Clinical Practice
Eye care professionals typically encounter new glaucoma diagnoses in one of two ways:
- Firstly, during routine preventive examinations. A patient may come in for various reasons, including work requirements, and be found to have elevated intraocular pressure. This finding prompts further evaluation, potentially leading to a glaucoma diagnosis.
- Secondly, it is a finding in older patients (often over 50-60). A patient may present with significant vision loss in one eye, and examination reveals Glaucoma. Unfortunately, vision loss at this stage is often irreversible.
Alternatively, a patient may seek care for an unrelated eye problem. During the comprehensive examination, the eye care professional may discover changes suggestive of Glaucoma.
As it is statistically prevalent, we most often work with primary Glaucoma, where no other underlying eye diseases are present. Functional changes, specifically as seen on visual field testing, help diagnose and stage glaucoma. During the test, a patient indicates which light signals are visible within their field of vision, building a map of each eye’s visual function.
Vision Field Test for Glaucoma Detection
As the optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain and each part of the retina transmits data via a corresponding set of fibers within the optic nerve, damage to specific nerve fibers results in loss of the associated portion of the visual field.
Challenges with this test include its complexity, especially for older patients, and its subjective nature.
Changes in the visual field determine glaucoma severity. These changes indicate how much of the visual field is already damaged and which parts of the optic nerve are compromised. We call these ‘functional changes‘ as they directly impact visual function.
Fundus photo for Glaucoma detection
Alongside functional changes, Glaucoma causes visible structural changes in the optic nerve that can be observed during a fundus examination. The optic nerve begins at a point on the retina where all the nerve fibers gather, forming the optic disc (or optic nerve head). The nerve fibers are thickest near the optic disc, creating a depression or ‘hole’ within it. As Glaucoma progresses, this depression deepens due to increased pressure inside the eye. This pressure causes mechanical damage to the nerve fibers, leading to thinning and loss of function.
Another crucial area on the retina is the macula, which contains a high density of receptors responsible for image perception. While the entire retina senses images, the macula provides the sharpest, clearest vision. We use this area for tasks like reading, writing, and looking at fine details. Therefore, the damage to the macular area significantly impacts a patient’s visual quality and clarity. Nerve fibers carrying visual information from this crucial region are essential when evaluating the visual field. We prioritize assessing the macula’s health because it directly determines the quality of a patient’s central vision.
Unfortunately, even if the macula is healthy, damage to the nerve fibers transmitting its signals will still compromise vision.
Glaucoma OCT detection
The most effective way to get information about nerve states is OCT, which allows us to penetrate deep into the layers to see the nerve fiber layer separately, making it possible to assess the extent of damage and thinning to this layer in much more detail.
The Glaucoma OCT test provides valuable information about ganglion cells. These cells form the nerve fiber layer and consist of a nucleus and two processes. The short process collects information from other retinal layers, forming the inner plexiform layer. The ganglion cell layer comprises the cell nuclei, while the long processes extend out to create the nerve fiber layer.
Damage to the ganglion cells or their processes leads to thinning across these layers, which we can measure as the thickness of the ganglion cell complex. OCT often detects these microscopic changes before we can see them directly. This enables the detection of structural changes alongside the functional changes observed with standard visual field tests.
Ideally, OCT would be more widely accessible, as the human eye cannot detect early changes. However, how often a patient undergoes OCT depends on various factors. These include the doctor’s proficiency with the technology, the patient’s financial situation (as OCT can be expensive), and the overall clinical picture.
Ways to Enhance Early Glaucoma Detection
We surveyed eye care specialists, and there was a strong consensus that the most efficient ways to boost early glaucoma detection are regular eye check-ups (47%) and utilizing AI technology (40%). Educating patients was considered less significant (13%).
AI as a second opinion tool
AI offers valuable insights into glaucoma detection, analyzing changes that may not be visible to the naked eye or even on standard OCT imaging.
The Altris AI Early Glaucoma Risk Assessment Module specifically focuses on analyzing the ganglion cell complex, measuring its thickness, and identifying any thinning or asymmetry. These measurements help determine a patient’s glaucoma risk. If the ganglion cell complex has an average thickness and is symmetrical throughout the macula, the module will assign a low probability of Glaucoma.
Asymmetries or variations in thickness increase the calculated risk, indicated by a yellow result color. Glaucoma GCC is often characterized by thinning or asymmetry, suggesting glaucomatous atrophy, indicating a high risk, and triggering a red result color.
Changes are labeled as ‘risk’ rather than a diagnosis, as other clinical factors contribute to a confirmed glaucoma diagnosis. Indicators of atrophy could also signal different optic nerve problems, such as those caused by inflammation, trauma, or even conditions within the brain.
It’s crucial to remember that AI glaucoma detection tools like this are assistive – they cannot independently make a diagnosis. Similarly, while helpful in assessing risk, they cannot completely rule out the possibility of developing a disease. This limitation stems from their reliance on a limited set of indicators. Like other technical devices, the module helps flag potential pathology but does not replace the clinician’s judgment.
AI can be incredibly valuable as a supplemental tool, especially during preventive exams or alongside other tests, to catch possible early signs of concern. However, medicine remains a field with inherent variability. While we strive for precise measurements, individual patients, not just statistical averages, must be considered.
Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect devices to provide definitive diagnoses without the context of a complete clinical picture.
Public Health Education
The asymptomatic nature of Glaucoma in its early stages, paired with limited public awareness, creates a fundamental barrier to early detection.
For example, 76% of Swiss survey respondents could not correctly describe Glaucoma or associate it with eye health.
A Canadian study similarly shows that less than a quarter of participants understand eye care professionals’ roles correctly and that most people are unaware eye diseases can be asymptomatic.
Crucially, these studies also found a strong desire across populations for more information about eye care, including Glaucoma (e.g., 97% of Swiss respondents agreed the public lacks knowledge, and 71% want more information). This indicates a receptive audience for targeted education initiatives.
Health education programs, like the USA EQUALITY study, demonstrate the potential to address this challenge. This study combined accessible eye care settings with a culturally sensitive eye health education program, targeting communities with high percentages of individuals at risk for Glaucoma.
Participants showed significant improvements in both glaucoma knowledge (a 62% increase in knowledge questions) and positive attitudes toward the importance of regular eye care (52% improvement).
These results show us that improving glaucoma detection involves more than medical tools. Successful education strategies should prioritize community outreach, partnering with community centers, primary care clinics, and local organizations to reach those lacking access or awareness of regular eye care.
Information about Glaucoma must be presented clearly and accessible, focusing on the basics—what Glaucoma is, its risk factors, and the importance of early detection. Addressing common misconceptions, such as the belief that Glaucoma can’t be present if vision is good, is crucial, as is targeting high-risk groups, including older adults, those with a family history of Glaucoma, and certain ethnicities.
Screening Programs and Regular visits
Community-based studies consistently demonstrate the benefits of targeted screening programs for early glaucoma detection in high-risk populations.
These programs are essential, as traditional glaucoma screening methods often miss individuals with undetected disease.
The USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded SIGHT studies focused on underserved communities, including those in urban areas with high poverty rates (MI-SIGHT, Michigan), residents of public housing and senior centers (NYC-SIGHT, New York), and the rural regions with limited access to specialist eye care (AL-SIGHT, Alabama). These programs successfully reached populations who often don’t have regular eye care.
Notably, the results across all three studies demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted programs – approximately 25% of participants screened positive for Glaucoma or suspected Glaucoma.
The SIGHT studies recognize that screening is just the first step, highlighting the importance of follow-up care, testing ways to improve follow-through, using strategies like personalized education, patient navigators, financial incentives, and providing free eyeglasses when needed.
Summing up
FDA-cleared AI-powered OCT Glaucoma Risk Assessment
Glaucoma’s insidious nature demands better early detection strategies. While existing methods are essential, we must also invest in new technologies like AI, enhance public health education about Glaucoma, and focus on targeted screening within at-risk populations. Combining these approaches can protect sight and reduce the burden of glaucoma-related blindness.
-
Effective Eye Care Innovation: Altris AI for Eye Care Place
Altris AI
1 min.The Client: the Eye Care Place is an optometry center in Ohio, the United States. It is a renowned center that provides comprehensive eye examinations, infant and pediatric eye care, emergency care, LASIK evaluations, and cataract assessment. They offer precise personalized care plans to better treat and prevent ocular disease and chronic illness. Scott Sedlacek, the optometry center owner, is an experienced OD, an American Optometric Association member, and a true innovator who implemented AI for OCT in the optometry practice among the first in the USA.
The Problem: The Eye Care Place owner has always been searching for innovations to transform the center making it truly digital. The aim of the innovation was also to augment the analysis ability of the optometry specialists using it, while allowing for better visualization of the retinal layers affected for doctors and patients.
The Solution: The Altris AI system was introduced in the Eye Care Place and it transformed the practice making it more efficient. Scott Sedlacek, the owner of the optometry admits that:
“We are one of the first Optometry offices with this AI technology. It is amazing at detecting and defining pathology in the 3D digital images I take with my Topcon Maestro2 OCT. We use Image Net6 software to export Dicom files to Altris AI. It’s fast and easy. If you want the right diagnosis, right away, this is the way to go.
I’ve been using this technology on every patient every day since the beginning of January 2024. There is no other technology in my 25 years being an optometrist that was easier to implement and more impactful immediately.”
FDA-cleared AI for OCT analysis
ROI of the AI for OCT scan analysis
Many eye care specialists worry about the ROI of Altris AI: will the system pay off? After all, it is an investment. That is the experience of Scott, the owner of the Eye Place:
“Altris AI identified and described pathology that I could not. Early detection changes the treatment from doing nothing to something. Also, Altris AI described something that I thought was worse than it was. Saved me from over-referring. Patients love to see the color-coded images which help as an educational tool and get buy-in on the treatment plan which helps compliance. There is a wow factor for me and my patients that sets your practice apart from the others.”
Effective Eye Care Innovation: What Else?
Apart from AI for OCT analysis, the Eye Care Place utilizes advanced technology for diagnostics.
- For instance, 3D OCT equipment is a highly advanced screening system that checks for serious conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, vitreous detachments, and more. Using this technology we can simultaneously take a digital photograph and a 3-D cross-section of the retina.
- Additionally, AdaptDX Pro can detect macular degeneration earlier than by any other means.
- Cognivue Thrive is a personalized, consistent, and reliable way to receive an overall screening of brain health.It is interactive, non-invasive, self-administered, secure, and confidential. It is a five-minute screening for patients of all ages, and you get immediate results in a simple 1-page report.
These are just some examples of innovative tools that optometry centers can use to automate and improve the level of diagnostics. If you want to imagine how Optometry Centers might look like in 2040, here is the article for you. The future is here, and those centers that digitalize have more chances of winning the competition and the hearts of the clients, much like the Eye Place which is highly appreciated by patients.
As you see, effective eye care innovations are an integral part of the work of the Eye Care Place which is why Artificial Intelligence for OCT analysis was seamlessly integrated into the workflow of the optometry center.
-
Will AI have a Positive Effect on Eye Care Specialists?
Maria Martynova
18.03.202313 min readWill AI improve your practice or it’s another hype topic that will vanish like NFT or VR glasses?
This article examines present AI’s impact on eye care specialists, exploring its promises and challenges. To gain a realistic view, we surveyed eye care specialists on their experiences and expectations of this topic.
Let’s start with what has already been implemented in eye care and the results we can see already.
FDA-cleared AI for OCT Analysis
AI in Eye Care Industry: Current Status
Disease screening: DR, AMD, and rare pathologies & biomarkers
A 2022 study by the University of Illinois showed that eye care specialists mostly see AI helping with disease screening, monitoring, and patient triage tasks. Notably, a significant increase in willingness to incorporate AI in practice has emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic, presumably due to a need for remote consultations.
The growing interest in AI for disease screening and monitoring coincides with the development of sophisticated AI systems. Due to their significant causes of visual impairment, Diabetic Retinopathy and AMD are the primary targets for AI screenings.
With over 422 million people worldwide affected by diabetic retinopathy and an estimated 80 million suffering from age-related macular degeneration, the workload on eye care specialists is immense. Unsurprisingly, most AI-powered screening solutions focus on helping clinicians with these diagnoses.
AI algorithms are trained to recognize DR-related alterations on images: hemorrhages, exudates, and neovascularization. AI also offers significant advancements in Age-related Macular Degeneration screening. Algorithms accurately segment data in OCT scans, helping assess retinal structures and quantify fluids during treatment. Trained models predict disease progression risks and analyze treatment responses.
AI in eye care can segment retinal structures to distinguish between normal retina scans and pathology on OCT, detect atrophic changes, and follow all alterations over time. It can even highlight rare inherited retinal dystrophies. For example, Altris AI is trained to recognize Vitelliform dystrophy and Macular telangiectasia type 2.More Efficient Patient Triage
The number of eye scans clinicians are performing is growing at a pace much faster than human experts are able to interpret them. This delays the diagnosis and treatment of sight-threatening diseases, sometimes with devastating results for patients.
Our recent survey showed that among more than 1000 participating eye care specialists, 40% have more than 10 OCT exams daily. Meanwhile, 35% of eye care specialists have 5-10 OCT daily examinations. Unfortunately, more patients per day mean an increased risk that specialists may miss some minor, rare, or early conditions.
AI systems can quickly triage scans based on severity. Prioritized urgent cases can be flagged for immediate attention. Healthy patients can be monitored without urgency.
This ensures patients with time-sensitive conditions get the care they need, while less urgent cases receive a timely but less immediate review.
Optometrists can use AI systems to specify the need to refer patients based on eye image analysis.
Another advantage of AI used as a “copilot” is its continuous improvement. Providers that create such systems usually integrate new data and research findings into algorithms, resulting in an ever-evolving resource for eye care specialists.
In other words, the accuracy of the patients’ triage will get better and better with the data.
Early Glaucoma Detection
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision-related morbidity worldwide. Although blindness is the most feared outcome, even mild visual field loss may harm the quality of life.
In a way, glaucoma is one of the most challenging eye diseases that specialists must treat; with most eye problems, the patient comes when something is wrong. Glaucoma, however, has no symptoms until it is advanced, and the damage can not be reversed.
One common reason glaucoma is not diagnosed early is the inability to recognize glaucomatous optic disc and RNFL damage. Ophthalmologists often rely primarily on intraocular pressure and visual fields and not on the appearance of the optic disc.
Combining optical coherence tomography imaging and artificial intelligence, Altris AI offers a solution to the problem. The platform performs Ganglion Cell Complex asymmetry analysis on OCT scan that categorizes the risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma Early Risk Assessment Module can help decrease the number of false-positive referrals and increase the standard of care by supporting early diagnosis to improve patients’ prognosis.
Better Education for Patients
Eye care specialists don’t always have time to explain to patients what is going on with their eye health.
Artificial intelligence can easily perform this task. AI systems will also enhance eye care education, offering innovative and immersive learning experiences: with the help of color-coding, user-friendly reports, and chat bots.
AI-generated OCT reports can propel patient education and engagement. By translating complex medical data into clear, visual formats, AI can help understand patients’ diagnoses, significantly improving treatment adherence and fostering greater patient loyalty.
For example, Altris AI employs smart reports with color-coded segmentation of pathologies that are easy for clinicians and their patients to understand.
When patients fully grasp the nature of their eye conditions and track therapy progress, they are far more likely to prioritize annual checkups and actively engage in their care.
Teleoptometry and teleophthalmology
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, especially in the image-rich field of ophthalmology.
In recent years, many digital home measurement tests have been introduced. These include home-based and smartphone/tablet-based devices, which are cost-effective in specific patient cohorts.
One example is an artificial intelligence-enabled program for monitoring neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) that uses a home-based OCT device. Patient self-measurements from home have proved to be a valuable adjunct to teleophthalmology. In addition to reducing the need for clinical visits, they serve as a collection of high-quality personal data that can guide targeted management.
Currently, most commercial providers of telemedical services and devices use artificial intelligence. However, these services are not autonomous. AI works simultaneously with so-called “backup” ophthalmologists. If a finding is unknown or unclear to the artificial intelligence, an ophthalmologist reads the image.
Non-medical AI: General Workflow Enhancements
COVID-19 made it crystal clear that healthcare worldwide has a full spectrum of problems, such as staffing shortages, fragmented technologies, and administrative complexities. So, the AI boom three years after the pandemic has come timely and handy.
Intelligent algorithms can solve the mentioned issues. For example, generative AI can enable easier document creation by digesting all types of reports and streamlining them. It can also ease the administrative workload for short-staffed clinicians (the average US nurse spends 25% of their work time on regulatory and administrative activities).
Probabilistic matching of data across different databases, typical for Machine Learning, is another technology that can take a burden off staff about claims and payment administration.
Patient engagement and adherence also can benefit from the technology. Providers and hospitals often use their expertise to develop a plan to improve a patient’s health, but that frequently doesn’t matter as the patient fails to make the behavioural adjustment. AI-based capabilities can personalize and contextualize care, using machine learning for nuanced interventions. It can be messaging alerts and targeted content that provokes actions at needed moments or better-designed ‘choice architecture’ in healthcare apps.
Another side of the coin: AI for OCT limitations
When discussing AI in eye care, it’s essential to recognize that AI is a tool. Like any tool, it is neutral. So, its effectiveness and potential for unintended consequences hinge not only on the quality of its design and the data used to train it but also on the expertise of the healthcare professionals interpreting its output. Here are some of the challenges to keep in mind when working with AI.
AI is fundamentally limited by the datasets used for training. An outsized amount of images can slow training and lead to overfitting, while a lack of demographic diversity compromises accuracy.
One challenge facing AI implementation in medicine is the interdisciplinary gap between technological development and clinical expertise. These fields are developing separately and usually do not intersect. Therefore, cross-collaboration can suffer because tech experts may not understand medical needs, and clinicians may not have the technical knowledge to guide AI development effectively.
So, a successful AI solution requires bridging this breach to ensure AI solutions are grounded in medical realities and address the specific needs of clinicians (Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 2019).
The commercialization of AI will also pose future issues. Trained models will likely be sold with and for implementation with certain medical technologies. Additionally, if AI does improve medical care, it will be essential to pass those improvements on to those who cannot afford them.
Overreliance on the technology can also be a problem.
AI is a tool, like any other equipment in the clinical environment. Decision-making is always on the side of an eye care practitioner who has to take into account many additional data: clinical history, other lab results, and concomitant diseases in order to make a final diagnosis.
And, of course, there are ethical dilemmas. Many practical problems can be solved relatively easily – secure storage, anonymization, and data encryption to protect patient privacy. However, some of them need a whole new field of law. The regulations surrounding who holds responsibility in case of a misdiagnosis by AI is still a significant question mark. Since most current AI algorithms diagnose not so many diseases, there is room for error by omission, and a correct AI diagnosis is not a comprehensive clinical workup.
Summing up
While AI in eye care isn’t without limitations and ethical considerations, its revolutionizing potential is hardly deniable. It already has proven itself working with disease screening, monitoring, and triaging, saving specialists time and improving patient outcomes. AI offers a “second opinion” for complex cases and expands access through telemedicine.
FDA-cleared AI for OCT Analysis
Yet, despite all its promises, the implementation of AI in practice should be seen as a new tool and technique, like the invention of the ophthalmoscope, IOL, OCT, and fundus camera. Optometrists and ophthalmologists will need to combine the best of their clinical skills and AI tools for best practices. Being an innovative tool does not make AI a magic wand, fortunately or not.
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Technologies in Optometry: Altris AI for Clare and Illingworth
Altris Team
3 min.3 min.The Client: Clare and Illingworth, renowned leaders in the field of optometry located in the UK.
The problem: The need to speed up the process of OCT interpretation and unburden the optometry team.
The Solution: Clare and Illingworth have embraced cutting-edge technology to enhance their Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) analysis workflow. The introduction of Altris AI at this optometry center marks a significant milestone in their commitment to providing high-quality services to patients.
According to one of the owners of the optometry center, Richard, “We are adding a new OCT to one of our practices and will benefit from some extra support with AI to speed up the interpretation of results and assist the busy Optometry team.”
Altris AI, a leading provider of artificial intelligence solutions for healthcare, specializes in developing algorithms and software applications that augment medical imaging analysis. The integration of Altris AI into the British Optometry Center’s OCT workflow brings forth a host of advantages, revolutionizing the way eye conditions are diagnosed and managed.
FDA-cleared AI for OCT Analysis
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Technologies in Optometry and Ophthalmology: How AI Helps
One of the key benefits of Altris AI is its ability to automate and expedite the analysis of OCT scans. Traditionally, optometrists spent considerable time manually reviewing and interpreting OCT images.
FDA-cleared Altris AI is created to make the OCT workflow more effective
How does it work? Altris AI serves as a copilot, analyzing OCT scans in parallel to the eye care specialist. For instance, on this OCT scan, Altris AI detects Diffuse Edema, Floaters, Intraretinal Hyperreflective Foci, Posterior Hyaloid Membrane Detachment, RPE disruption, Shadowing, Hard Exudates, Intraretinal Cystoid Fluid.
- The classification in this case would be Diabetic Retinopathy.
With Altris AI, the process becomes significantly faster and more efficient. The AI algorithms can quickly analyze intricate details within the scans, providing clinicians with accurate and timely insights into the patient’s eye health.
Moreover, the use of Altris AI contributes to increased diagnostic accuracy. The algorithms are trained on vast datasets, learning to recognize subtle patterns and anomalies that may escape the human eye.
Thus, Altris AI recognizes 70+ retina pathologies and biomarkers, including DME, DR, GA, AMD, etc.
FDA-cleared AI for OCT Analysis
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Technologies in Optometry are paving the way to a new future where eye care specialists and AI will work together for better patient outcomes. AI will never be able to substitute eye care specialists because the final diagnosis must include clinical history, results of lab tests, and other diagnostic methods.
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Retina Layers Segmentation on OCT
Maria Martynova
5 min.5 min.The knowledge about macular retinal layer thicknesses and volume is an important diagnostic tool for any eye care professional today. The information about the macular retinal layers often correlates with the evaluation of severity in many pathologies.
Manual segmentation is extremely time-consuming and prone to numerous errors, which is why OCT equipment manufacturers use automatic macular retinal layer thickness segmentation.
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Yet, retina layer segmentation in different OCT equipment manufacturers as well as in different OCT models varies significantly. It is sometimes difficult even for an experienced ECP to find the correlations and track the pathology dynamics. The normative bases refer only to the thickness of the entire retina, they are not related to segmentation. However, if the segmentation is performed incorrectly by the machine, it will lead to an incorrect calculation of the thickness of the retina or its layers, and then the assessment will be incorrect.
At Altris AI we aim to visualize retina layers for a more accurate understanding of pathological process localization. Such retina layers segmentation allows for defining the localization of the pathological process and tracing in dynamics the spread of the pathological process or the aftermath in the retina structure after its completion.
For instance, the EZ layer is important in terms of vision loss forecasting.
OCT Manufacturers & Retina Layers Analysis
From 2010 most eye care specialists have used the same OCT International Nomenclature for Optical Coherence Tomography. OCT equipment manufacturers rely on this nomenclature for retina layer thickness calculation and most ophthalmologists use it as well.
Taking into account retina structure, some layers can be united into complexes. For instance, the ganglion complex includes RNFL, ganglion cell layer & OPL.
Let’s take a look at various OCT equipment manufacturers and the way they perform retina layer segmentation analysis.
For instance, here is how Topcon Advanced Boundary Segmentation (TABSTM) automated segmentation differentiates between nine intraretinal boundaries:
- ILM
- NFL/GCL,
- GCL/IPL,
- IPL/INL,
- INL/OPL,
- ELM
- EZ
- OS/RPE
- BM
Zeiss CIRRUS uses two approaches to retina layer segmentation.
The existing segmentation algorithm (ESA) in CIRRUS estimates the positions of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and outer plexiform layer (OPL) based on the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To improve the accuracy of the segmentation of these layers, a multi-layer segmentation algorithm (MLS) was introduced, it truly segments layers instead of estimating their position.
Heidelberg Engineering offers to learn about the following inner and outer retina layers on their website. There are 10 retina layers according to Heidelberg, and they are the following:
- ILM
- RNFL
- GCL
- IPL
- INL
- OPL
- ONL
- ELM
- PR
- RPE
- BM
- CC
- CS
Why accurate retina layer segmentation is important?
Retina layers segmentation helps eye care professionals to understand which pathology to consider in the first turn. For instance, changes in RPE and PR signify the development of Macular Degeneration.
Often such changes can also inform eye care specialists about the development of pathologies that lead to blindness, such as glaucoma, AMD, and Diabetic Retinopathy.
- Early Glaucoma Detection
Historically, evaluation of early glaucomatous change has focused mostly on optic disk changes. Modalities such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (HRT) or scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) with specially developed software algorithms have been used to quantitatively assess such changes. However, glaucomatous damage is primarily focused on retinal ganglion cells, which are particularly abundant in the peri-macular region (the only retinal area with a ganglion cell layer more than 1 layer thick), constituting, together with the nerve fiber layer, up to 35% of retinal macular thickness.
Therefore, glaucomatous changes causing ganglion cell death could potentially result in a reduction of retinal macular thickness. Indeed, by employing specially developed algorithms to analyze OCT scans, previous studies have reported that glaucoma, even during the early stage, results in the thinning of inner retinal layers at the macular region.
According to this study, the RNFL, GCL, and IPL levels out of all the retinal layers, the inner-most layers of the retina: the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer (IPL) show the best discriminative power for glaucoma detection. Among these, the RNFL around the circumpapillary region has shown great potential for discrimination. The automatic detection and segmentation of these layers can be approached with different classical digital image processing techniques.
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- Detection of AMD
This first population-based study on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography-derived retinal layer thicknesses in a total of ∼1,000 individuals provides insights into the reliability of auto-segmentation and layer-specific reference values for an older population.
The findings showed a difference in thicknesses between early AMD and no AMD for some retinal layers, suggesting these as potential imaging biomarkers. When comparing layer thicknesses between early AMD and no AMD (822 eyes, 449 participants), the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch’s membrane complex demonstrated a statistically significant thickening, and photoreceptor layers showed a significant thinning.
- Detection of DR
The depth and spatially resolved retinal thickness and reflectance measurements are potential biomarkers for the assessment and monitoring of Diabetic Retinopathy, one of the key reasons for blindness around the globe.
For instance, this study confirmed that decreased RNFL thickness and increased INL/OPL thickness in diabetics without DR or with initial DR suggest early alterations in the inner retina. On the contrary, the outer retina seems not to be affected at the early stages of DM. Automatic intraretinal layering by SD-OCT may be a useful tool to diagnose and monitor early intraretinal changes in DR.
Conclusion:
Retina layer segmentation is crucial for the accurate detection of pathologies in the eye, especially in the field of ophthalmology and medical imaging. Here are several reasons why it is important:
Precise Diagnosis: Retina layer segmentation provides a detailed map of the different retinal layers, which helps in the precise diagnosis of various eye conditions. It allows clinicians to identify the exact location of abnormalities, such as cysts, hemorrhages, or lesions, within the retina.
Quantitative Analysis: It enables quantitative analysis of retinal structures. By measuring the thickness, volume, and other characteristics of specific layers, clinicians can assess the severity and progression of diseases like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Early Detection: Some retinal pathologies manifest in specific layers of the retina before becoming visible on a fundus photograph. Retina layer segmentation can help detect these changes at an early stage, potentially leading to earlier intervention and improved outcomes.
Treatment Planning: Knowing the precise location of pathologies within the retina’s layers can aid in the planning of treatment strategies. For example, in cases of macular holes or retinal detachment, surgeons can use this information to guide their procedures.
Monitoring Disease Progression: Retina layer segmentation is valuable for monitoring how retinal diseases progress over time. Changes in the thickness or integrity of specific layers can be tracked to assess the effectiveness of treatments or the worsening of conditions.
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Altris AI for Buckingham and Hickson Optometry, the UK
Altris Team
1 min.The Client: Buckingham and Hickson is a family-run optometry practice that was established in 1960 in the United Kingdom. The optometry practice offers a number of services:
- Wide range of spectacle frames and lenses.
- Contact lenses.
- Glaucoma referral refinement.
- Cataract choice referral.
- OCT examination.
- NHS and private eye tests.
See how it works
FDA approved AI for OCT scan analysis
The challenge: The optometry owners wanted to test how Artificial Intelligence can assist them in OCT examination or, to be more precise, in providing a second opinion regarding OCT scans.
OCT examination is one of the best retina diagnostics methods, however in many cases OCT scan interpretation can be really challenging for several reasons:
- Variability in Anatomy: There is significant natural anatomical variation among individuals. What may be considered normal for one person may be abnormal for another. Eye care specialists need to account for these variations when interpreting OCT scans, but this often requires years of experience.
- Various Eye Conditions: Eye care specialists use OCT scans to diagnose and monitor a wide range of eye conditions, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment, among others. Each of these conditions can manifest in different ways on OCT scans, making interpretation challenging.
- Progression Monitoring: Ophthalmologists often use OCT to monitor disease progression and the effectiveness of treatment. Tracking subtle changes over time can be difficult, as it requires precise comparisons of multiple scans.
- Artifacts: OCT scans are susceptible to artifacts, such as shadowing, motion artifacts, and signal dropout, which can obscure or distort the image. Recognizing and mitigating these artifacts is essential for accurate interpretation.
- Experience and Training: Accurate interpretation of OCT scans in optometry and ophthalmology requires specialized training and experience.
- Evolving Technology: OCT technology continues to advance, introducing new techniques and capabilities. Staying current with these advancements and understanding their clinical implications is an ongoing challenge for ophthalmologists.
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8 Reasons why Optometry Groups Invest in Artificial Intelligence for OCT Scan Analysis
Mark Braddon
5 min.Optometry chains offer a wide range of eye care services, making it convenient for patients to access eye care locally.
However, the widespread accessibility of optometry chains has a reverse side for them. The shortage of employees, new unfamiliar equipment for diagnostics, and a large number of patients create an extremely challenging workflow for many optometrists. This, in turn, creates a number of challenges that can be more familiar to Optometry chains: low optometrist recruitment and retention, inconsistent quality of examination throughout the practices, lack of communication with patients, etc.
Automation of routine processes and digitalization have always served as answers to challenges like these in any industry, and healthcare is no exception. Luckily, automation of one of the most complex tasks for optometrists – OCT examination is already available to optometry chains with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
OCT proves to be one of the most efficient diagnostic tools for many modern top-notch optometry practices, however, mastering it requires skills and time. Artificial intelligence tools, such as AI for OCT analysis platform, can automate many routine processes which will have enormous benefits for any optometry chain. The top 8 benefits are the following:
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#1 AI for OCT increases clinical efficiencies
Automating OCT scan analysis through AI reduces the time optometrists spend on image interpretation. This allows optometrists to focus on more complex cases, patient interactions, and personalized treatment plans. For any large optometry chain, saving time means providing more patients with high-quality service.
How does it work in practice?
For instance, Altris AI has a severity grading of b-scans. Severity grading means that it is easy to see if the eye is healthy (removing any need to spend time interpreting) or highlight where the pathology is and the degree of severity.
- Green- no pathology detected
- Yellow- mild to medium level of severity
- Red – severe pathology detected
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#2 AI for OCT provides consistently high standard of quality throughout the chain
AI algorithms provide consistent and standardized analysis regardless of the individual interpreting OCT scans. This reduces variability in diagnoses and ensures that patients receive uniform care across different clinics and practitioners within the optometry chain.
AI algorithms can analyze OCT scans with incredible precision and consistency. They can detect subtle changes in retinal structures that might be missed by human observers, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of various eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and more.
This will help younger less experienced optometrists and will serve as a second opinion tool for more experienced specialists.
Test how Altris AI analyzes OCT
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#3 AI for OCT enables better retention of employees
The shortage of optometrists in the world is staggering. 14 million optometry specialists are needed worldwide according to the WHO, while today there are only 331K ready to work.
It is equally difficult to hire and retain a good optometrist for a company in 2023. However, more and more young optometrists choose innovative businesses that use technology to improve the workflow. Top-notch equipment, convenient scheduling tools, and of course, Artificial Intelligence for OCT & fundus photo analysis might be the perks that will help optometrists to choose your optometry business.
Fresh from college optometrists feel more confident when they know that they will have a backup when reviewing OCT scans
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#4 Reduced Workload Burden
Optometrists often have heavy workloads, and AI can help alleviate some of this burden by handling routine tasks like initial image analysis. This enables optometrists to spend more time on patient consultations and treatment planning.
According to a survey by the General Optical Council, 57% of optometrists worked beyond their hours in 2022. Optometrists were more likely to be working beyond their hours (60%) or finding it difficult to provide patients with the sufficient level of care they needed (34%) when compared to other registration types.
It is possible to outsource preliminary image analysis to Artificial Intelligence tools but communication and empathy are human tasks only.
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# 5 AI promotes enhanced patient education
Let’s not forget about the patients. AI-generated OCT reports can help explain complex medical conditions to patients in a more understandable, visual way. After all 80% of all the information we receive is visual: imagine your optometrists not only telling but also showing what is going on with patients.
Comprehensive, color-coded OCT reports may improve patient education and engagement, leading to better treatment adherence and loyalty.
When patients don’t understand what they are paying for they are not likely to return for annual checkups. At Altris AI we created smart OCT reports that are comprehensible for patients as well as optometrists. We visualize all the pathologies and the patients can trace the dynamics of
#6 Reducing a clinical risk. No chances of getting a legal inquiry because of a pathology missed
Optometry chains can perform around 40K OCT scans a week. Statistically speaking, the chance of missing a minor early pathology is huge simply because of the big number.
With the double-check that AI for OCT scan analysis provides, It is not possible to wipe the risk out for 100%, but it is possible to diminish the risk to the absolute minimum.
For the optometry chain, it might mean no bad PR and weird stories in the papers and subsequently, a better brand image.
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#7 AI makes early detection of pathologies possible on OCT
AI algorithms can identify early signs of eye diseases that might not be easily recognizable in their early stage. This early detection can lead to timely interventions, preventing or minimizing patient vision loss.
Glaucoma, Wet AMD, Diabetic Retinopathy, and genetic diseases are among the pathologies that lead to blindness if not detected in time. Detecting pathological signs and pathologies related to these disorders in time can literally save patients from future blindness.
Early detection of pathologies means that it is possible to stop or reduce the risk of total blindness which is the best result in any sense. Early detection will allow optometrists to give valid recommendations, and advise on dieting and supplements right at the optical store.
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#8 Competitive Edge
AI is a buzzword, and it’s not accidental. All major players understand its enormous value and invest in it. During the last presentation, the CEO of Google said “AI” 140 times, and let’s be honest, it is not to show off. It is because AI can actually make changes in business: automation of repetitive processes, workflow optimization, and human error reduction.
Adopting AI technology for OCT analysis showcases the optometry chain’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in healthcare. Gaining a real competitive edge is another big goal.
This can attract patients who value cutting-edge approaches to diagnosis and treatment. A younger generation of patients are curious about new technologies, and this can be an additional lead magnet for them.
Conclusion
Incorporating AI for OCT analysis into optometry chains can enhance patient outcomes, make the workflow more efficient, and improve the performance of each optometry center. However, it’s important to ensure that the AI systems are properly validated, integrated into clinical workflows, and monitored to maintain their accuracy and effectiveness. More than that, it should complement, not replace, the expertise of optometrists. The technology should be used as a tool to aid optometrists and make OCT examination more effective.
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Why Eye Care Specialists Consider Innovative Tools in Addition to Normative Database
Maria Martynova
06.09.20236 min readThe first normative database for OCT was created in the early 2000s and were based on small studies of mostly white patients. However, as OCT technology has evolved, so too have the normative databases. Recent databases are larger and more diverse, reflecting the increasing ethnic and racial diversity of the population.
FDA-cleared AI for OCT
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Nowadays, eye care specialists use normative database to compare the characteristics of a patient to a population-wide norm. This allows them to quickly and easily assess whether a patient’s retinal dimensions fall within normal limits. According to our survey, 79% of eye care specialists rely on the normative databases for OCT verdict with every patient.
However, despite the fact that normative databases are very widespread among specialists worldwide, they are not perfect. They can be affected by factors such as age, gender, axial length, and refractive error.
They can be influenced by low image quality due to different eye pathologies. It is essential to be aware of these limitations when interpreting normative data OCT parameters. That is why, in this article, we will discuss the benefits of the collaboration between AI decision-making tools and normative databases to improve patient outcomes.
What is a normative database, and is there a difference between normative databases for different devices?
Before diving into the subject of the benefits and limitations of normative databases, we would like to remind you what a normative database is. From the moment of its invention, the OCT exam has rapidly gained widespread adoption and has become indispensable in the eye care practice. Critical to this success has been the ability of software to automatically produce important measurements, such as the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in tracking glaucoma progression or the total retinal thickness in the assessment of macular diseases.
In order to accurately interpret OCT scans, normative databases were created. These databases are now built into almost all commercial OCT devices, allowing eye care specialists to view colored reports and progression maps that assist in the rapid recognition and tracking of pathology.
Summing up, a normative database for OCT is a set of data that provides references for OCT thickness measurements in a healthy population. These databases are used to compare the OCT measurements of your patient to a population-wide norm.
Here are some of the OCT parameters that are commonly measured and compared to normative databases:
- Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness: the RNFL is a retinal layer that is measured around the optic nerve. This measurement is important for diagnosing optic nerve atrophy.
- Macular thickness: the macula is responsible for sharp central vision.
- Ganglion cell complex thickness: the ganglion cell complex is a group of cells in the retina that are responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain.
- Cup-to-disc ratio, neuroretinal rim, and other optic nerve parameters: are very important for diagnosing glaucoma and other optic nerve pathologies
These are just a few of the OCT parameters that are commonly measured in normative databases. The specific parameters that are measured can vary depending on the type of OCT device and the clinical application.
In addition, different OCT devices can have different measurement capabilities and resolutions. For example, a device that uses time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) technology may have a lower resolution than a device that uses spectral-domain or swept-source OCT (SD or SS-OCT) technology. This means that the normative database for a TD-OCT device may not be as accurate as the normative database for an SD or SS-OCT device.
What is more, the normative database for a particular device may be based on a specific population of patients. What are the benefits and limitations of normative databases?
Now that we have highlighted different aspects of the normative database definition let us discuss the benefits and limitations of this tool. Normative databases can sometimes be very helpful for eye care specialists in diagnosis, decision-making, and creating a treatment strategy for eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
- The measurement provided by the normative database can be used as a baseline for tracking a patient’s response to medication or other treatment. Eye care specialists can track changes between a few visits and determine the impact on the patient.
- Normative databases show deviations from the norm, which may be a reason for a more comprehensive examination.
- Eye care specialists can also use normative databases to compare the results of different OCT devices. This can help to ensure that they are using the most accurate device for their patients.
There are still challenges that must be overcome to develop normative databases sufficient for use in clinical trials. That is why current normative databases also have a lot of limitations.
Does not detect pathology
The normative database works only with the thickness of the retina and does not detect what is inside the retina. Therefore, it cannot detect all pathologies where there is no change in retinal thickness. In the early stages, these are absolutely all diseases. We can see deviations from the normative base only when the disease progresses to a later and more severe stage when the retinal thickness decreases or increases.
Limited diversity
Normative databases can be limited by factors like age, gender, and ethnicity of the population used to create them. This can result in reduced accuracy for patients who are not well-represented in the database.
Population variation
Even healthy patients can have some anatomical variations that fall within the range of normal. These variations may be falsely flagged as abnormalities when compared to the database.
How Altris AI platform can complement the information provided by the normative database
Normative databases in OCT play a crucial role in aiding diagnosis and treatment planning, but they also have limitations related to representation, disease progression, and data quality. Eye care specialists need to interpret the results in the context of the patient’s individual characteristics and other clinical information, using additional tools for scan interpretations.
Sometimes, low-quality OCT scans can be inaccurately interpreted by the eye care specialist, and the normative database can showcase inaccurate measurements. Altris AI platform detects low-quality scans automatically and warns about the possibility of inaccurate results. In addition, the platform automates the detection of 70+ pathologies and pathological signs. Once the user uploads the scan, they can see visualized and highlighted pathological areas and pathology classification that the algorithm has detected. The user can also calculate the area and volume of detected biomarkers.
Artificial intelligence-based tools for OCT interpretation used along with normative databases can play a crucial role in clinical eye care. Altris AI, for example, can provide eye care specialists with additional and more precise information about separate retinal layer thickness. The system analyzes the thickness of each retina layer or several layers combined.
While normative databases provide information only about the thickness, AI tools equipped with deep learning models can detect pathological signs in OCT scans that might be missed by the normative database or the human eye, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Altris AI algorithm classifies the OCT scans based on the degree of pathology found. It can distinguish green concern, which indicates normal retina, yellow – moderate with slight deviations, and red concern, which means high severity level.
Summing up
Despite their limitations, normative databases are an essential tool for the clinical use of OCT. They provide a valuable reference point for assessing patients and can help to identify some diseases. However, the normative database measures only the thickness, which is not enough to accurately diagnose the patient and create a treatment plan.
FDA-cleared AI for OCT
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That is why incorporating AI into OCT interpretation streamlines the decision-making process. By automating the initial analysis of OCT scans, specialists can focus their attention on more complex cases, making the best use of their skills and experience. Moreover, embracing AI technologies empowers eye care specialists to personalize patient care with greater precision.
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AI Blindness Prevention: How We Can Use Artificial Intelligence to Help Prevent Blindness
Maria Martynova
07.08.20239 min readThe total number of people with near or distant vision impairment reaches 2.2 billion worldwide. Of these, 43 million people are blind, and 295 million are suffering from moderate to severe visual impairment. Although the numbers are constantly changing as new research is conducted, the global burden of blindness and visual impairment remains a significant problem of humanity in the fight against which specialists combine their forces with AI technologies.
AI blindness prevention tools are being actively developed to transform the landscape of vision care in many ways. Eye care specialists use AI systems for screening and detecting diseases that lead to vision loss. AI-powered smart monitors assist specialists in finding proper contact lenses and glasses. In addition, many researches are held with the help of AI algorithms, as they are able to process vast amounts of data.
In this article, we will discuss different applications of AI in blindness prevention, specifically how artificial intelligence tools can empower eye care specialists and extend beyond the clinical setting.
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Today’s conditions and risk factors of blindness you should pay attention to
Before talking about the developments in the AI sector toward blindness prevention, we would like to discuss the most common causes and risk factors of this impairment. Many health and lifestyle factors can influence the risk of vision loss. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sun exposure, and poor nutrition can contribute to diseases that lead to vision loss.
In addition, there are many conditions that can lead to blindness if left with no proper treatment, among which are the following.
Age-related eye diseases
The global population is aging rapidly. The number of people aged 65 and over is projected to triple from 1 billion in 2020 to 2.1 billion in 2050. Considering this fact, age-related eye diseases have become a prominent cause of blindness. Such diseases as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, and glaucoma are more prevalent in older patients, and if left untreated, they can lead to fast and significant vision loss. Regular eye check-ups and timely interventions are crucial in managing these diseases and preventing severe visual impairment.
Besides AMD, there are a lot of age-related conditions which can be a red flag when examining the patient. Among these are macular holes, mactel, and vascular diseases, for example, central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Detecting even one of these pathological conditions in the early stages of their development is crucial for preventing vision loss.
However, many eye care specialists sometimes don’t have enough resources to dedicate more time to analyzing patients’ images. Our recent survey detected that among more than 300 participating optometrists, 40% of them have more than 10 OCT exams per day. Meanwhile, 35% of eye care specialists have 5-10 OCT examinations per day. The greater the number of patients per day, the greater the likelihood that eye care specialists may miss some minor, rare, or early conditions.
Fortunately, nowadays, there are a lot of ways to empower the clinical workflow, and AI blindness prevention tools are gaining popularity. Artificial intelligence systems like Altris AI can analyze retinal images and other diagnostic data to detect early signs of age-related eye diseases. Altris AI platform, for example, can detect 70+ pathologies and pathological signs, including the ones, that refer to age-related diseases.
Altris AI platform allows eye care specialists to rely on its disease classification when diagnosing a patient. It detects all the most common age-related pathologies, such as AMD, mactel, and vascular diseases – CRVO, CRAO.
Diabetes and diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes and related conditions are also common causes of vision loss. In the United States, about 12% of all new cases of blindness are caused due to diabetes. Globally, diabetes is estimated to cause 4.8% of all blindness. In addition, the risk of blindness from diabetes increases with the duration of diabetes. People with untreated diabetes for years are 25 times more likely to be blind than people without diabetes.
The complication of diabetes, called Diabetic retinopathy (DR), affects the blood vessels of the retina and can lead to impaired vision or blindness. With the rising prevalence of diabetes worldwide, DR has become a significant problem. Early detection, proper control of diabetes, and regular eye exams are essential to prevent vision loss.
The American diabetes association (ADA) recommends that people with diabetes have an OCT scan of their eyes every year. This is because OCT can help to detect early signs of DR with high precision. In some cases, eye care specialists may recommend more frequent OCT scans. This may be the case if the patient has advanced diabetic retinopathy or a family history of diabetic retinopathy.
AI algorithms such as Altris AI can assist in detecting the pathological signs of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema. Our web platform differentiates certain pathological signs that indicate diabetes-related diseases. Among these are:
- Intraretinal fluid
- Subretinal fluid
- Hard exudates
- Hyperreflective foci
- Epiretinal fibrosis
Genetic and inherited conditions
Some patients are at a greater risk of developing visual impairment due to genetic factors or the inheritance of certain conditions. For example, retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disease that affects the photoreceptor cells in the retina and gradually leads to night blindness and loss of peripheral vision. Genetic testing and counseling can help identify people at risk and provide early intervention.
Some genetic eye conditions, such as myopia, vitelliform dystrophy, or retinoschisis, can be detected in the early stages with the help of OCT examination and artificial intelligence systems. Altris AI platform can help eye care specialists in their daily practice and make eye care more accessible, allowing specialists to perform regular eye check-ups, and provide timely treatment of genetic conditions.
Current ways to prevent blindness with AI
As you can see, blindness risk factors encompass a wide range of conditions, pathologies, and circumstances that can significantly impact a patient’s health and increase the likelihood of severe visual impairment. Poorly managed age-related eye diseases, genetic and hereditary factors, and chronic health conditions can lead to eye-related complications, further elevating the risk of blindness.
In the following paragraphs, we will describe in detail the modern ways of using artificial intelligence to detect and prevent blindness: from AI-based retinal imaging for early detection of eye diseases to personalized treatment recommendations and remote patient monitoring.
AI for image interpretation
It is important to understand that the timely detection of eye diseases is key to the effective treatment of visual impairments. However, today we have an unfortunate tendency to diagnose severe forms of disease too late. A large-scale survey by Eyewire conducted in 2021 found that about 40% of people in the USA said they had not had an eye exam in more than a year, and 10% said they had not had one in more than five years.
In addition, recent research by the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that 25.3% of people in Europe over the age of 60 have early signs of AMD. In the UK, about 200 people a day are affected by a severe form of AMD (wet AMD), which can cause severe blindness.
These studies show us that while eye care specialists around the world are trying to treat as many patients as possible, unfortunately, many patients are going blind due to delays in diagnosis. However, using advanced AI-based image analysis systems can speed up the detection of warning signs, allowing you to reach more patients.
One of the advantages of AI for image analysis is its assistance in decision-making. Altris AI is a great example of how an image analysis system can help prevent blindness with AI. The platform allows eye care specialists to detect 74 retina pathologies and pathological signs, including risk conditions for vision loss, like AMD, Diabetic retinopathy, Vascular diseases of the retina, and others.
Diagnosing eye disease in children
Today, one of the most important AI blindness prevention research is focused on teaching artificial intelligence algorithms to detect retinopathy in premature infants. Retinopathy of prematurity is the main cause of childhood blindness in middle-income countries. Some researches show that around 50,000 children all over the world are blind due to the disease.
Unfortunately, experts’ forecasts show that these figures are likely to grow. Retinopathy of prematurity is becoming more and more common, especially in African countries. About 30% of children born in sub-Saharan Africa have this disease and, due to late detection and insufficient attention due to the lack of eye care specialists, can also go blind.
An artificial intelligence model developed by an international team of scientists from the UK, Brazil, Egypt, and the US, with support from leading healthcare institutions, is able to identify children who are at risk of blindness if left untreated. The team of scientists hopes that this AI system will make access to screening and monitoring of young patients more affordable in many regions with limited eye care services and few qualified eye care specialists.
AI monitors for eye strain control
Another interesting application of AI to prevent blindness is eye care monitors. They are planned to be used to avoid eye strain due to prolonged computer work. Such monitors will be programmed to monitor the user’s facial expressions, blinks, and eye movements. They will also be able to assess the level of light in the room, and artificial intelligence will automatically adjust the screen brightness and image contrast.
Since a huge number of the world’s population has switched to remote work since the pandemic and spends almost all day at the computer, such AI monitors are considered a huge help for users in preventing eye diseases that can lead to visual impairment.
AI to determine better glasses or contact lenses
In the field of developing and calculating suitable lenses, there are also a number of companies that have joined the development of AI tools. AI monitors will collect important information about the patient’s eye condition, analyze it, and prescribe suitable contact lenses or glasses.
In addition, these monitors will be able to analyze the patient’s medical history, including medical images, and create the most suitable treatment strategy to maximize visual acuity.
AI for studying the human eye
Today, AI is a promising tool for studying human eye tissue and developing new tools for diagnosing and treating eye diseases, including those that lead to vision loss. Artificial intelligence tools are used to analyze OCT images of the eye to detect changes that may indicate diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. AI is also used to predict the development of eye diseases based on genetic or risk factors. This is expected to help doctors identify people at risk of developing eye diseases at an early stage and prevent the progression of the disease.
Summing up
Today AI blindness prevention tools are already developing by many leading companies and institutions, and some companies, like Altris AI, are already using the potential of artificial intelligence to provide early detection and diagnostic advice for eye care specialists. But it’s worth noting that AI tools are not capable of coming up with innovative solutions for blindness prevention.
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Only in close cooperation with eye care specialists AI blindness prevention tools can help in many ways, like early detection, providing access to medical care in underserved regions, detecting minor or rare conditions, and allowing to focus on personalized care and treatment of patients.
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5 Tips When Introducing the OCT Eye Exam to Patients
Mark Braddon
24.07.20238 min readAs optometry technology evolves, many optometrists predict that utilizing OCT eye exam in practice will be vital in maximizing patient care. That is why successfully integrating an OCT device into your optometry practice workflow is instrumental to its clinical and commercial success.
Optometrists from different countries often have the same questions about how to successfully integrate an OCT device into an Optometrist Practice, regardless of practice size or experience level. How to make patients feel comfortable? How to explain the importance of regular OCT scans? Will patients understand what is an OCT scan of the eye? How do we avoid patients thinking we want to perform OCT eye exams just to earn more money? The process of introducing OCT to patients is complex and covers many areas.
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If we speak to optometry practices, both those who are new to OCT and those who have had the OCT device for many years, most of them will want to improve the ROI and ensure the patients are gaining the full value of the OCT eye test. This article will show you 5 tips for successfully introducing the OCT eye exam to your patients.
Remember why you invested in the OCT technology
One may think that only novice optometrists tend to underestimate their work or do not feel confident about the value they give to patients. However, some experienced clinicians also avoid offering OCT eye tests because they think they are ‘overselling’ with additional fees for OCT, Optos, or other diagnostic exams.
That is why it is important to remember why you invested in OCT technology in the first place. In almost all cases, this is to improve the clinical standard of eye care that you offer to your patients. In fact, when I ask some optometrists if they want a member of their families to have an OCT eye exam, the answer is always ‘Yes, of course!’. So if you strongly recommend undergoing an examination to your relatives, why would you not recommend an OCT eye test for your patients?
Before a patient comes into the practice, one of the most important things you need to do is not undervalue your time, skills, and experience when charging for the additional time the OCT exam takes to interpret and discuss.
Implementing an OCT eye exam into regular practice improves clinical care and can generate a commercial benefit as well by increasing revenue through fees, patient retention, and loyalty. Moreover, word of mouth is often the most significant source of new patients for optometrists. If the patient feels you are confident in everything you do, it will make them more likely to recommend you to friends and family
Explain the importance of OCT eye exam for early detection
From the first touch point, the patient should understand that your optometric practice takes its business seriously and provides additional diagnostic examinations, such as the OCT, to improve the quality of care. The first impression of your approach is very important, so it is crucial to start introducing the technology to the potential patient from the first point of contact.
As a rule, the beginning of a patient’s introduction to the OCT eye exam starts with several touch points. Whether they make their appointment for the eye examination through your website, mobile application, in person, or by phone, the most important thing you can do is create an integrated and comfortable patient journey.
Before a patient comes into the practice, you should explain the importance of the OCT device and its benefits compared to the standard examination. Even when the patient is fully acquainted with the OCT eye exam, they may still need help understanding why this particular imaging method is necessary. The ability of OCT eye exam to detect diseases in the early stages makes this technology indispensable for optometrists and patients and this is why it is such an excellent tool for diagnosing eye diseases.
More importantly, avoid frightening patients with stories about difficult-to-treat rare pathologies. Instead of talking about the pathology consequences, say that the OCT eye exam scan provides a clear map that helps locate areas of the eye with abnormalities or early changes.
Understand the importance of a healthy-eye-as-a-baseline concept
In this section, I want to discuss the concept of a healthy eye in more detail. When a patient comes to you for an examination, it is essential to use the correct narrative that the optometrist should use when discussing the results of an OCT eye exam with patients. It is important to emphasize that we are not looking for pathology but a healthy eye.
We know that we will detect pathology in certain patients. The number of patients likely to have at least one pathology increases if you work with an older population. However, finding a healthy baseline scan is an important part of monitoring the long-term eye health of the patient.
Talking about baseline, make sure to emphasize how great it is to find a healthy eye in a patient. Explain that together you found a nice, healthy eye so you have the baseline to compare with the patient’s future scans. Emphasize that, hopefully, you will find a healthy eye at the next eye examination, but if anything does start to change, then with the help of an OCT eye exam, you will be able to detect these early and minor changes as you have the healthy baseline scan to compare to.
It is necessary to develop your patient’s understanding through appropriate teaching and discussion. Giving the value of the baseline OCT eye exam to your patients is very important. Notice the difference between “We found nothing” and “We found a healthy eye”. The first statement is negative and undermines the reason for the scanning of patients for a healthy eye baseline. Meanwhile, the second statement is positive and clearly gives your patient more value as you have found what you are looking for.
Integrate the OCT eye exam into the patient workflow
Another one of my recommendations is to call the eye examination that includes the OCT eye exam the Advanced or Comprehensive Eye Examination. It is important to make sure all the staff members use the same terminology and your message to a patient is consistent from first contact to the end of the practice visit. The eye examination without the OCT exam can be called the ‘Standard Examination’ as we are not trying to make the ‘normal’ eye examination appear below standard, what we are trying to do is explain that the practice is invested in the latest technology to offer the most advanced (or comprehensive) examination for your patients benefit.
For example, when a patient books an appointment, make sure that the support staff uses the same terminology as written throughout the website, reminder letter/email, or mobile app if you have one.
When you review the OCT images with the patient, explain that you are going to look at the OCT images of the retina, which is part of the ‘Advanced examination’. When a patient pays at the end of the customer journey, make sure that the ‘Advanced Examination’ is mentioned again. When a patient rings up or books online for the next OCT eye exam, then they will understand what the ‘Advanced examination’ means and are more likely to select this option straight away for future examinations.
Concentrate on giving more value to your patients
Review the results with the patient to give them the actual value of an OCT scan. This will allow you to establish communication with the patient and improve their perception. Give them the “theatre” around the additional diagnostic testing so they understand how it applies to them and feel valued.
Remember that your knowledge, enthusiasm, and the extent to which the patient is involved in the process directly affect the clinical and commercial success. Dedicate time to each patient, involve them in the diagnostic process, and explain the OCT scans of their eyes on the screen.
How can Altris AI help with introducing OCT Eye Exam
When talking about improving the clinical standard of care your practice offers to your patients, the Altris AI platform can also improve the standard of care you offer to your patients. The platform helps to quickly determine if the eye is healthy. If pathology is detected, then Altris AI identifies the very early, rare, or minor changes that can be the start of something more severe. Altris AI detects over 70 pathologies and pathological signs. If early pathology is identified, then the Altris AI platform can help educate the patient by clearly highlighting the areas of concern and then giving you the opportunity to discuss lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medications, or supplements, which may help the patient now rather than just monitoring until it is time to refer.
The Altris AI platform can improve the patient’s understanding of the OCT exam and add value to the Advanced Eye Examination.
All you need to do is to upload an OCT macula exam to the platform and Altris AI will assess the exam by severity differentiating the b-scans between high, medium, and low severity levels. The segmentation/classification module will highlight pathological signs on the OCT scan one by one and give the classification/s of any pathology found to support you with the diagnosis. Meanwhile, in the Comparison module of the platform, you are able to compare the baseline scan with the current one.
Summing Up
Remember why you invested in the OCT technology in the first place — usually, this is to improve the clinical standard of care you can offer to your patients. The improvement in clinical care can also generate a commercial benefit as well by increasing revenue through OCT exam fees, patient satisfaction, patient retention and loyalty, and an increase in recommendations of friends and family.
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Build a patient journey in such a way that, at each stage, they know that they have received a new, exciting, and, important part for the most comprehensive examination you offer. Remember that the more skill and enthusiasm you show, the more you can interest the patient and increase the probability that they will return for their next examination with OCT.
In addition, consider using modern AI tools to help you with decision-making. Image management systems like Altris AI can help you interpret the OCT scans faster and with more confidence. This will leave more time to add value for your patient, and integrating AI into practice can be another example of how you are investing in the latest technology to benefit your patients.
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DICOM File Format: Benefits of Managing DICOM images
Mark Braddon
31.05.20236 min readDICOM file format (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) was developed by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) as a standard for exchanging medical images and related information across different healthcare systems. It serves as a universal language for medical imaging, enabling interoperability between various imaging devices and systems. DICOM ensures that medical images can be exchanged and viewed consistently regardless of the manufacturer or modality.
DICOM image format supports a broad range of medical imaging modalities, including X-ray, MRI, OCT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and more. It also covers related data, such as patient information, study details, image annotations, and results.
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As the DICOM format continues to evolve to keep up with advancements in medical imaging technology, our article aims to raise awareness among ophthalmologists and optometrists about the DICOM file format.
You can also watch a short video about DICOM and non-DICOM file formats.
What is DICOM file format?
Image files that adhere to part 10 of the DICOM standard are commonly known as “DICOM format files” or simply “DICOM files,” and their file extension is “.dcm.” In ophthalmology, DICOM is a widely used file format for storing and transmitting medical images. DICOM files are used to store various types of ophthalmic images as well, including retinal images, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, visual field tests, and angiography images.
DICOM files consist of two main components: the header and the image data. The header contains metadata that describes the patient, study, series, and image acquisition parameters.
This metadata includes information such as patient demographics, image acquisition parameters (e.g., imaging modality, image orientation, pixel spacing), and any annotations or measurements made on the image. The image data itself is typically stored in a compressed format, such as JPEG or JPEG 2000, within the DICOM file.
DICOM files also support the exchange of images and associated data between different medical imaging devices and systems. This enables eye care specialists to easily share and access ophthalmic images across different platforms, such as picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), ophthalmic imaging devices, and electronic health record (EHR) systems.
By using DICOM, ophthalmologists and optometrists can efficiently store, retrieve, and analyze ophthalmic images, ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective patient care. In the next paragraphs, we will tell you more about the benefits of the DICOM file format for eye care specialists.
Benefits of DICOM file format
The DICOM standard ensures interoperability between different vendors’ OCT devices and facilitates seamless data sharing and analysis. The main difference between DICOM and other image formats is that it groups information into data sets. A DICOM file consists of several tags, all packed into a single file. It stores such info as:
- demographic details about the patient
- imaging study’s acquisition parameters
- image dimensions
- matrix size
- color space
- an array of additional non-intensity information necessary for accurate image display by computers.
If you have to enter the patient’s information manually, there’s always a chance you can misspell the name or other information. However, when using a DICOM file to store patients’ information and monitor patients’ health, eye care specialists can be sure the chance of human bias is much lower.
When you work in an optometry practice or a clinic, you may spend a lot of time filling in the details every time you upload a file. And if your clinic is busy and you do 30-50 uploads daily, it could take hours. Using DICOM image format significantly speeds up the process and reduces errors.
Another benefit of the DICOM image format is that the header data information is encoded within the file so that it cannot be accidentally separated from the image data.
DICOM files can be stored in a DICOM server or transmitted between DICOM-compliant systems using the DICOM network protocol (DICOM C-STORE or DICOMweb). DICOM SR (structure reporting) allows for the structured representation of measurement data and annotations in OCT images. It enables the storage of quantitative measurements, such as retinal thickness or optic nerve parameters, as structured data within the DICOM file.
In addition, eye care specialists are able to manipulate the brightness of the image when using the DICOM viewing software. Some areas of an image can be increased or decreased for a better viewing and diagnostic experience.
Is DICOM file format popular among OCT providers?
When it comes to optical coherence tomography, many OCT device manufacturers and software providers support the DICOM standard for storing and exchanging OCT images. Some of the prominent OCT providers that offer DICOM support include:
- Heidelberg Engineering is a well-known provider of OCT devices and software solutions for ophthalmology. They offer OCT devices like the Spectralis OCT, which supports DICOM connectivity. The DICOM capabilities of their systems enable seamless integration with PACS and other healthcare systems.
- Carl Zeiss Meditec is a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic devices, including OCT systems. Their OCT devices, such as the Cirrus OCT, are DICOM-compatible, allowing for efficient storage and sharing of OCT images with other DICOM-compliant systems.
- Topcon Medical Systems is another prominent provider of OCT devices. Their OCT systems, such as the Topcon 3D OCT, support DICOM connectivity, enabling interoperability with other DICOM-enabled devices and systems.
- NIDEK offers a range of ophthalmic imaging devices, including OCT systems. Their OCT platforms, such as the NIDEK RS-3000, support DICOM, allowing for seamless integration with DICOM-compliant infrastructure, such as PACS and EHR systems.
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These are just a few examples of OCT providers that support the DICOM standard. It’s important to note that DICOM support may vary among different models and versions of OCT devices from each manufacturer. We recommend you consult with the specific manufacturer or review their product documentation to confirm the DICOM capabilities of their OCT systems.
Why do we recommend using DICOM file format with Altris AI?
Modern DICOM viewer software extends beyond simple viewing. It can enhance image quality, generate additional data, take measurements, and more, and Altris AI is no exception. Using the DICOM image file gives you more opportunities within the platform.
Such features as
- retina layers thickness and linear measurements
- area and volume calculations
are only available when using the DICOM file format. This is because it contains the original image pixel data without modifying the study metadata. In case you upload an image, retina layers thickness won’t be available, as well as the measurements.
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Another advantage of the DICOM format is that you can add patient and examination details in a few clicks by just uploading a DICOM file since this information is being pulled out automatically.
In the case of other image formats, when uploading an examination, you would have to manually fill in a bunch of information such as scan widths, eye type, etc.
Considering all mentioned above, using DICOM format files saves time, increases efficiency, and gives you more opportunities within the Altris AI platform.
Summing up
In conclusion, the DICOM file format proves to be a valuable asset for eye care specialists. Its unique characteristics, such as grouping information into data sets and incorporating standardized tags within a single file, offer many advantages.
This format ensures the preservation of accurate and comprehensive data, reducing the potential for human error and minimizing the risk of data loss or misinterpretation. The DICOM file format streamlines the archival, organization, and display of images, optimizing the workflow of eye care specialists.
By adhering to the DICOM standard, OCT devices and software solutions ensure compatibility, interoperability, and consistent data representation across different platforms. This enables efficient communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals, enhances research capabilities, and promotes the broader use and exchange of OCT imaging data.
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With its widespread adoption and compatibility with various medical imaging systems, DICOM empowers ophthalmologists and optometrists to provide efficient and high-quality care while promoting seamless collaboration and knowledge sharing within the field. Ultimately, the DICOM file format plays a vital role in enhancing patient care, advancing research, and fostering innovation in the field of eye care.
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How 7 Leading Optometry Centers Provide Innovations in Eye Care
Maria Martynova
08.05.20239 min readTop modern optometry centers are not afraid of embracing innovations in eye care. Some offer home eye tests, others create mobile apps to try on frames remotely. There are optometry centers that use artificial intelligence to empower optometrists in OCT/ fundus interpretation. We’ve collected 7 optometry centers that are using technology now to win the competition.
From advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to personalized care and patient education, these centers are transforming the way clients approach and bring innovations in eye care.
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Optometry meets technology: AI, AR, mobile apps, and home eye tests
Augmented Reality (AR), mobile apps, and home eye tests are emerging trends that are changing the way people receive eye care.
- AR technology uses the camera lens on a mobile device or your PC as the method to deliver information and graphics. A user accesses an AR application, and the camera viewpoint incorporates the data directly into the perspective in real time. With AR apps for eyewear and exams, anyone can have a large selection of glasses and other services from their homes, offices, or on the go.
- Mobile apps offer a wide range of eye care services, from information on eye health and tips for maintaining healthy vision to virtual vision screenings. Moreover, mobile apps are also used to educate both young and experienced optometrists. We strongly believe that educational mobile apps inevitably become an additional efficient tool for OCT education because they are accessible and interactive.
- Another one of the innovations in eye care is Home eye tests are also often enabled by digital vision testing tools. They are becoming more and more common and offer a convenient and cost-effective way to monitor vision changes.
- As for AI use in optometry practice, it allows its users to see a broader perspective of a patient’s eye health. Incorporating AI streamlines billing procedures, expands the input of electronic health records (EHRs), optimizes claims management, and improves cash flow. AI technology can also be used in cooperation with AR assisting in the glasses selection.
Although these innovations in optometry and ophthalmology provide more comprehensive access to eye care and improve patient engagement, many optometry practices are still hesitating to add such innovations to their routine. That is why we prepared the info about 7 famous optometry practices that are already using innovations in eye care.
Warby Parker
Warby Parker started its way in 2010 when the founders of the company were students. One of them lost his glasses during a tourist trip. The cost of replacing them was so high that he spent his first semester of graduate school without them. That is why the company’s mission is to provide affordable, high-quality eyewear to consumers, while also addressing the issue of access to vision care.
One of Warby Parker’s unique innovations in eye care is its Home Virtual Try-On program, which allows customers to try on up to five frames at home for free before making a purchase. This program makes it easier for customers to find the perfect pair of glasses and eliminates the need for them to go to a physical store to try on frames.
Warby Parker also offers an online eye exam called the Virtual Vision Test. It is designed to provide customers with a convenient and affordable way to obtain a prescription for glasses or contacts from the comfort of their own homes.
The Virtual Vision Test is a telemedicine service that uses technology to allow customers to take an eye exam using their computer or smartphone. The test is not meant to replace a comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye doctor, but rather to provide a convenient option for those who need a prescription renewal or have mild refractive errors.
After completing the test, the results are reviewed by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist, who will issue a prescription if appropriate. The customer can then use the prescription to purchase glasses or contacts from Warby Parker or any other provider.
Lenskart
Lenskart is a fast-growing company of innovations in eye care in India focused on making eyewear more affordable for everyone. To achieve this goal, the company has developed a number of innovative technologies and business models, including a mobile app that allows customers to try on frames virtually and a home vision testing service that allows to check their prescriptions from the comfort of their own home.
One special feature of the Lenskart app is the “3D Try-On” feature, which uses 3D imaging technology to create a model of the customer’s face and allows them to try on different frames virtually. This feature helps get a better sense of how a particular frame will look on a customer’s face before making a purchase.
Another one of Lenskart’s innovations in eye care is the Home eye test, designed to provide people with a convenient and affordable way to obtain a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. To take the Lenskart Home Eye Test, customers must first book an appointment on the company’s website or mobile app.
The eye test includes a visual acuity test, a color vision test, and a refractive error test. The optometrist will also check the customer’s eye health and recommend any necessary follow-up exams or treatments. After the test, the optometrist will provide a prescription, which the customer can use to purchase glasses or contacts from Lenskart or any other provider.
SmartBuyGlasses
SmartBuyGlasses is an online eyewear retailer that was founded in 2006. The company is headquartered in Hong Kong, but it operates in more than 20 countries worldwide. Company’s Virtual Try-On feature is available on the website and allows customers to upload a photo of themselves and try on glasses virtually using augmented reality.
After the website generates a 3D model of the customer’s face, they can adjust the position and size of the glasses to get a better sense of how they will look on their faces. The virtual try-on innovations in eye care also allow to share images of themselves wearing the glasses with their friends and family to get feedback on which pair looks best on them.
Another eye care innovation of SmartBuyGlasses is a Lens scanner app that uses advanced technology to scan the user’s current eyeglasses lenses and analyze the prescription, allowing to order a new pair of glasses online without visiting an eye doctor.
The app works by instructing the user to place their current eyeglasses on a flat surface and position their smartphone camera above the lenses. The app then captures a series of images and uses advanced algorithms to analyze the curvature, thickness, and other factors of the lenses to determine the prescription.
GlassesUSA
GlassesUSA is an innovative and socially responsible eyewear retailer that is committed to providing quality products and services to its customers. With its focus on technology, sustainability, and social impact, GlassesUSA has become a popular choice for customers in the United States and around the world.
One of the innovations in eye care of GlassesUSA that is worth paying attention to is a Prescription Scanner app. The app works by guiding the user through a series of steps to scan their face and eyes using their smartphone camera. It uses advanced algorithms to analyze the user’s facial features and measure the distance between their pupils, which is a crucial factor in determining the correct prescription for eyeglasses.
Once the scanning process is complete, the GlassesUSA app provides the user with their personalized prescription and recommendations. The app also offers a Virtual Try-On feature that allows users to see how different frames will look on their faces before making a purchase.
Another feature is a Find-your-Frame Quiz on the website. The quiz consists of a series of questions that ask users about their face shape, personal style, and preferences for eyeglass frames, such as color, material, and shape. Based on the user’s responses, the specially designed program generates a personalized selection of eyeglasses frames that are recommended for their face shape and style preferences.
Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical offers a wide range of eyewear products, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and sports eyewear. The company offers glasses at significantly lower prices than traditional brick-and-mortar stores, which has made it a popular choice for customers.
Company’s Virtual Try-On feature uses advanced AR technology to create a 3D model of the user’s face, allowing them to see how different frames will fit and look on them.
To use the Virtual Try-On innovations in eye care, users simply need to upload a photo of themselves or use their computer or smartphone camera to take a live video. This feature then maps the user’s facial features and displays a selection of eyeglasses frames that can be tried on virtually. Users can then select different frames to see how they look from different angles, and can even compare different frames side-by-side.
The Zenni Optical Virtual Try-On is a convenient and easy-to-use tool for anyone in the market for a new pair of glasses. It allows users to see how different frames will look on their faces without the need to visit a physical store or try on multiple pairs of glasses.
VSP Global
VSP Global is a leading eyewear company that was founded in 1955 by a group of optometrists who wanted to provide affordable eye care. Today, VSP Global is a major player in the optometric industry and offers its customers a wide range of services and products.
The company works with a network of over 40,000 eye doctors and optometrists to provide affordable and accessible eye care to its customers. VSP Global also offers other eye care services, such as telehealth consultations, on-site eye exams for businesses and schools, and a mobile eye clinic that serves underserved communities.
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And as every company from this article, VSP Global has a strong focus on technology and innovations in eye care. The company has developed a number of proprietary technologies, including an AI-powered platform called Eyeconic that helps customers find the right eyewear.
Eyeconic uses machine learning algorithms to analyze a customer’s facial features and suggest frames that would fit their face shape and size. VSP Global has also developed a mobile app called myVSP that allows customers to manage their vision benefits, find an eye doctor, and order contact lenses online.
iSight+
Another AI-oriented optometry center is iSight+, located in Hong Kong. iSight+ is an excellent example of how an optometric eye care center didn’t hesitate and chose to provide innovations in eye care and a more in-depth examination of the macula.
Andy Meau. Optometrist, the owner of ISight+ Optometric Eye Care center:
“Altris AI will be a great tool in helping to monitor patients with existing macular diseases. I am also honored to be the first EPC in Hong Kong to provide this service.”
In addition, the eye care center is also equipped with advanced optometric technologies, digital photography systems, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which helps to provide the highest quality eye examination.
Summing Up
Optometry centers can significantly benefit from incorporating innovations in eye care, such as augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and mobile apps, into their practice. These technologies enhance the patient experience, improve diagnostic accuracy, and streamline clinical workflows.
Moreover, the use of innovative technology can help optometry centers stay competitive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Patients are increasingly tech-savvy and expect healthcare providers to offer convenient, digital solutions that meet their needs. By embracing innovative technologies, optometry centers can attract new patients and retain existing ones, while also increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Of course, there may be concerns about the cost and complexity of integrating new technologies into an optometry practice. However, the benefits of doing so can far outweigh these potential challenges. With careful planning and implementation, optometry centers can successfully leverage AR, AI, and other innovations in eye care to enhance patient care, improve clinical outcomes, and thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
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New Technology in Optometry: How will Optometry Practice Look in 2040?
Maria Znamenska
29.03.20239 min readIn the next two decades, we can expect to see a paradigm shift in the way optometry is practiced. Advances in new technology in optometry, such as AI (artificial intelligence), machine learning, and virtual and augmented reality, are expected to revolutionize the way optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat eye-related problems. For example, smart contact lenses that can monitor blood sugar levels for diabetic patients or detect early signs of glaucoma are already in development, and they could become mainstream within the next 20 years.
In addition to optometry technology advancements, changes in demographics will also play a significant role in shaping the future of optometry. The aging population will require more specialized eye care, particularly for conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts, which are more prevalent in older adults. The rise of chronic diseases such as diabetes will also increase the demand for optometric services, especially in developing countries where access to healthcare is limited.
Register in a free Demo Account to see how AI for OCT works. AMD, DR, early glaucoma examples.
The future of new technology in optometry is exciting and holds great promise for patients and practitioners alike. In this article, we will explore some of the potential changes that ODs may face in the coming years, based on the survey that we have conducted.
New technology in optometry: AI is here to help
In the next 20 years, the technology in optometry will be represented by AI and is expected to revolutionize the field in several areas. Here are some ways AI is already helping optometry:
- Diagnosis and treatment. AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of patient data and provide accurate and fast diagnoses of eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. AI could also help in designing personalized treatment plans for individual patients.
- Screening and monitoring. AI-powered optometry technology could help specialists to screen patients for eye diseases more accurately and quickly. For example, a patient could take a picture of their eyes with their smartphone and an AI algorithm could analyze the image for signs of eye disease. AI could also help in monitoring the progression of eye diseases over time.
- Enhance patient care. AI-powered tools could help ODs to provide more personalized and comprehensive care to their patients. For example, AI technology in optometry could help in selecting the most suitable eyeglasses or contact lenses for a patient based on their unique vision needs and lifestyle factors.
- Research and development. AI could help optometrists in developing new treatments for eye diseases. By analyzing large amounts of patient data, AI algorithms could identify new patterns and potential treatments for eye diseases.
In addition, the implementation of AI in optometry technology can present various prospects for improving clinic operations, simplifying billing procedures, accelerating the input of EHRs (electronic health records), optimizing claims management, and boosting cash flow. As high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) gain popularity among employers and patients, revenue cycle management can be seamlessly integrated with AI technology, considering the increasing number of patients defaulting on their medical bill payments.
Altho artificial intelligence is about to bring significant changes to the industry, it is important to remember that the effectiveness of AI is limited to tasks that it has been specifically trained to perform, while it may not perform well in areas outside its training.
Therefore, it is crucial to focus on enhancing ODs’ proficiency in utilizing AI instead of worrying about the possibility of job replacement. The integration of AI technology in optometry provides specialists with an opportunity to enhance patient outcomes on a global scale.
Register in a free Demo Account to see how AI for OCT works. AMD, DR, early glaucoma examples.
To be proficient in utilizing cutting-edge technologies, ODs specialists must possess critical thinking skills and the ability to manage complex cases in real-time. Additionally, communication skills are also essential, including cultural sensitivity, multilingualism, and familiarity with alternative communication platforms such as mobile technology. These skills will be particularly important for optometry specialists from 2040.
Overall, AI has the potential to greatly improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosing and treating eye diseases, leading to better patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system.
The evolution of OD and MD roles
Back in 2019, Richard C. Edlow, OD, claimed that nearly 20mln more routine and medical eye exams will be required in 2025 compared to 2015. The volume of surgery that will be required for the aging US population will increase as well. What is more, the number of cataract surgical procedures will also significantly increase — from 3.6 million in 2015 to 5 million in 2025. Add here the fact that the number of ophthalmologists will increase by only 2.1% in this same period.
Given these facts, in the not-too-distant future, ophthalmologists will need to focus on surgical procedures, while optometrists will provide more medical care.
The field of ophthalmology must be fully prepared to meet the huge and growing demand for surgical procedures and therapeutic intravitreal injections. This brings us to the fact that the field of optometry, in turn, must be ready to manage the ever-increasing demand for medical ophthalmic services.
The roles of OD and MD are changing as with the advent of electronic healthcare, ophthalmologists are already spending more time on the computer instead of providing proper patient care. The ability to use innovative technologies, digital thought processes and critical thinking will create new opportunities in eye care as optometrists are moving further towards ‘data analysis’ and away from ‘data collection’. OD specialists must ensure that they are properly trained in new technology in optometry and its advances to enhance, not inhibit, the quality of patient care.
It is also worth mentioning that despite the speed of new technology in optometry, the human relationship between patient and doctor remains the most powerful tool. To properly care for patients, ODs will need more than clinical skills, knowledge, or the latest technological advances. Patients need thoughtful, professional, kind, trusting, understanding, and caring optometrists.
As technology advances, there will also be changes in optometry education. There may be more need for data analysis, less need for data collection, and an increased need for interpersonal skills (such as empathy, compassion, and bedside manner).
The role of OCT technology in optometry
OCT has become an important diagnostic tool for the detection and treatment of various eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. The ability of OCT to obtain high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina and optic nerve will broaden the horizons of optometry technology and help optometrists detect and track changes in ocular structures that may not be visible during the normal eye examination.
As technology advances and the use of AI and imaging techniques increases, the demand for OCT in the field of optometry is expected to continue to grow.
Here are some ways in which optometrists will benefit from implementing OCT in their practice:
- Improved diagnosis. OCT provides highly detailed images of the structures of the eye, allowing ODs to detect and diagnose eye conditions much earlier than with traditional methods. In fact, OCT is also called an optical retinal biopsy. This method makes it possible to examine 18 zones of the retina and detect minor or rare pathologies. This enables optometrists to provide timely treatment and prevent further damage to the eye.
- Better management of eye diseases. OCT allows optometrists to monitor the progression of eye diseases such as glaucoma, ARMD, and diabetic retinopathy by taking detailed retinal images. It helps to determine the severity and stage of the disease, compare images after examination with documented results, and track disease progression. Moreover, with OCT examinations, ODs can also monitor the same patient to choose the most accurate diagnosis.
- Enhanced patient care. OCT is a non-invasive and painless procedure that is easy for patients to undergo. It uses safe laser light, avoiding all the side effects or risks. As the procedure is comfortable and effortless both for the ODs and patients, it helps to build stronger relationships by providing a less intimidating experience than other examinations.
- Increased revenue. Offering OCT in their practice can provide optometrists with an additional revenue stream, as they can charge for the procedure and use it to attract new patients.
Summing up, implementing OCT in their practice can help optometrists provide better patient care, improve their diagnostic accuracy, and increase revenue.
Focusing on myopia management
According to a survey conducted by the American Optometrists Association, nearly 70% of optometrists reported an increase in patient requests for myopia treatment in the last two years. Myopia is a rapidly growing problem worldwide. Only in the USA, it is predicted that by 2050 the number of patients will increase to 49.8%. As unfortunate as it may be, such a global epidemic of myopia will undoubtedly create an opportunity to expand the practice of specialized treatment.
In the future, optometrists may manage myopia using a combination of approaches, and one of the most discussed is orthokeratology (ortho-K). This non-surgical approach that involves wearing specially designed contact lenses has been used to reduce the degree of myopia since the 1960s. Although this method is not new in optometry practice, many companies are still working hard to create new approaches and upgrade them. For example, 2 years ago, Johnson & Johnson Vision announced FDA approval of its Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for the management of myopia. That same year, CooperVision announced that its Procornea DreamLite night lenses for ortho-k had received the CE Mark from European regulators for slowing the progression of myopia in children and young adults.
Overall, the future of myopia management in optometry is likely to involve a personalized, multi-faceted approach that combines various strategies to reduce the progression of myopia and improve vision.
Game-changing contact lenses
In the research published in Advanced Materials Technologies, was claimed that in the near future, contact lens sensors can be used to monitor many common diseases. The fact is that in the lacrimal fluid, there are biomarkers, the presence of which will make it possible to create diagnostic contact lenses. Such lenses would analyze these biomarkers and detect and treat systemic and ocular diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and dry eye syndrome.
It is predicted that in the near future, lenses will be able to monitor intraocular pressure, detect glaucoma, and even create images of retinal vessels for early detection of hypertension, stroke, and diabetes. For patients with diabetes, these lenses would be incredibly useful because of the measurement of blood glucose levels. Some companies, like Google, have already dedicated years to creating such lenses. Nowadays, scientists are even working on lenses that change color to alert about changes in glucose levels.
However, according to Advanced Intelligent Systems, one of the limitations of these lenses to date is that they can typically only detect one biomarker in the eye, such as glucose or lactic acid. Lenses capable of detecting multiple chemical components are predicted to be developed in the future.
Summing up
Predicting the exact way optometry practices will look in 20 years is challenging, as technological advancements and societal changes can rapidly alter the way healthcare is delivered. However, in this article, we tried to predict some potential trends and developments that could shape optometry practices in the next 20 years based on the opinion of the leading experts in the industry.
To put it simply, AI and technology will slowly gain popularity among eye care specialists. However, in 2040 artificial intelligence and machine learning still will be only an assistant, while ODs will be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment.
Check how artificial intelligence assists in OCT interpretation
This brings to the forefront the important principles of patient education, empathy, and personal contact with patients (virtue ethics). Innovations in technology should allow ODs to have more personal contact and more time to improve outcomes for patients-not to improve productivity.
In addition, optometric education will need to address these interpersonal skills so future generations of ODs are able to adequately educate patients on findings and ensure the quality of care.
There will always be a business of health care, but the challenge for the optometric profession is for ODs to place the well-being of all patients as their first priority.
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Optometry Practice Management Tips: 10 Real Cases for Revenue Increase
Olha Shyrykhalova
14.02.20236 min readTo make an optometric practice truly profitable it is necessary to juggle many things at the same time: marketing, employees, clients, best brands of lenses, training, new equipment…So easy to lose something! In this article, you will read about 10 optometry centers that managed not only to survive the competition but also to increase their revenue. How? Read optometry practice management tips from 10 real centers and find out.
Let’s start with the challenges of the optometry business. Key challenges in 2023 in the optometry business according to Optometric Management and Eyecare Leaders are the following. There are 8 of them, but the retention of specialists, competition with large chains and retailers as well as marketing and sales are the most tangible for the majority of optometry businesses.
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RETENTION OF EMPLOYEES
This problem seems crucial considering the huge lack of optometry specialists in the world. According to WHO,14 million optometrists are needed globally when there are only 331K available. There are several strategies that optometry businesses can use to retain optometrists:
- Delegating more examinations to technicians helped the partner with Mountain View Eye to generate $2,600 in additional revenue per week. Work like performing pupil testing, versions (EOMs) and dilation were added to the pretesting protocols.
- Using artificial intelligence for retina scan analysis. For the majority of optometrists, OCT scan analysis is a challenging and problematic task and more than half of optometrists are not confident about their interpretation skills. Using Artificial Intelligence for automated OCT scan analysis can make the work of optometrists more efficient: increasing the number of patients who undergo OCT examination and subsequently increasing the revenue.
MARKETING AND SALES ACTIVITIES
- Concentrating on eyewear sales. OD Perspective CEO claims that 2 simple techniques can add $75.000 to the annual revenue of any optometry center. Decreasing Patient’s Own Frame (POF) Glasses Sales by communicating the need of updating the frame with the lens. Communicating the need for all types of lenses (for computers, reading, sunglasses) can be a very effective technique for revenue generation which is often neglected by optometry owners. This is one of the optometry practice management tips that seems to work for any center.
- Providing exquisite luxury experience. The owner of Eye Boutique in Houston claims that a new strategy when he decided to concentrate on VIP clients turned out to be much more effective. Now his optometry averages 3 $500+ purchases per patient annually”
- Using social media and digital marketing tools extensively. Instagram, Facebook, Google Ads, SEO for promotion. Simply because your clients are doing it. For instance, “an average sale from a patient who has come into an office solely from social media marketing is around $750” which is a very good result according to a Corona Vision Center.
Instagram, Facebook, and Google Ads are the most effective digital marketing channels for communication with potential clients
- Providing a small warranty to all products, among other small changes, can bring $60000 annually. That is the experience of the owner of Brilliant Eyes Vision Center.
- Educating patients leads to $55K annually for the owner of Bright Family Eye Care. What does it mean? The employees of the center take time to explain what they are examining the patients for in detail so the last would prioritize screening. This has a financial benefit, as well, since the center charges patients for wide-field imaging on a screening basis
COMPETITION WITH LARGE OPTOMETRY CHAINS
Private optometry centers find it hard to compete with chains, like Specsavers, in terms of prices or the speed of service. Chains often have better locations and can spend much more money on marketing. So how can private optometry centers win this competition? There are several things that big companies don’t have:
- Offering personalized service and building a relationship with patients. The key to winning the competition with large chains is building a local presence. Your optometrist center can be known and valued if you really care about the community, know each of your clients personally and understand their pains and needs. More than that, 97% of marketers witnessed a rise in business outcomes as a result of personalization according to Salesforce.
- Providing unique and high-quality products not available at chain stores. That is also an interesting opportunity for a small but flexible business. For instance, some optometry centers build their presence relying on rare brands of glasses with sophisticated designs. The global therapeutic contact lenses market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.90% from 2021-2027 and designer brands will play a crucial role in this growth.
- Providing exceptional customer service and after-care. Communication with customers is the core of relationships. Today it’s easier to communicate with customers using the abundance of social media, messengers, and telemedicine. Optometry centers that take care of their clients not only during visits but afterward as well are much more profitable. The best messengers for communication with clients are
WhatsApp (offers several business solutions as well), Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Viber, WeChat.
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- Storing all the patients’ data effectively and securely is the key to fast and reliable services inside the optometry centers. There is a variety of EHR systems for optometry centers, and it’s hard to find the best optometry practice software. However, it is always wise to rely on testimonials.
Here is the review of the best optometric practice management software. Acuitas activEHR 2.0, MedFlow EHR, Liquid EHR, EyePegasusEHR, Eye Cloud Pro, OD Link, ManagementPlus, Medesk are the best optometric practice management software according to our reserach and reviews.
PATIENTS’ NO SHOWS
A patient no-show is a critical problem today for the majority of optometry centers. Patients tend to ignore yearly checkups and forget about follow-up visits whenever they feel a little better.
- Using virtual check-ins increased profitability and reduced our cost of goods sold (COGS) for the partner at Wichita Optometry. Virtual check-ins mean that patients can use audio or video technology for communication with the OD instead of visiting the optometry. This helps to decrease staff, become less dependent on employees and reduce payroll expenses. More than that, it gives more freedom to patients in terms of the time of the “virtual visit”. There are plenty of tools for virtual check-ins, but Zoom, Skype, Teams can be one of the most reliable.
- Using software to remind about future visits can be the solution. For instance, Weave software helped Serenity i Care optometry to reduce the number of no-shows up to 30% from 75%. This software allows informing clients about future visits automatically via e-mails and texts. No need for a team to have an endless amount of calls that are not responded to. Other solutions that might work are:
Demandforce, Solutionreach, and Simplifeye can be a great software for reminding patients about visits. This is the best optometry prcatice management software to deal with forgetfullness.
By focusing on these strategies and continuously seeking ways to improve patient engagement, streamline operations and increase efficiency, optometry practices can increase their revenue and sustain long-term success.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehhwl6Q0O-A&ab_channel=Altris
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Optometry Practice Management Software: Top 8 Applications
Mark Braddon
13.02.20239 min readOptometry practice management software is designed for eye care specialists to manage their practices more efficiently and effectively. The software can automate a wide range of administrative tasks, making it easier for practitioners to focus on patient care.
Unlike other medical practices, optometry involves the management of a much larger number of optical instruments, processes and aids. Therefore, software for optometrists is more complex and multifunctional. It usually includes features such as appointment scheduling, patient registration, billing and insurance claims processing, patient data management, and secure messaging and email communication. The software can also integrate with other technologies, such as electronic health records (EHRs), OCT image management systems and diagnostic equipment.
AI for OCT scan analysis
Register in a free Demo Account to see how it works: OCT scans with AMD, DR, early glaucoma are already inside.
By streamlining administrative tasks and providing practitioners with patient data, optometry practice management software can help eye care clinics improve their operations, increase efficiency, and provide better patient care. The software can be customized to fit the specific needs of individual practices and is often offered on a subscription basis, making it an affordable and accessible solution for eye care clinics of all sizes.
In this article, we will highlight the main benefits of practice management optometry soft, and provide you with a list of the Top 8 software to look at.
What are the benefits of practice management optometry software?
Optometry practice management software can help doctors in multiple ways besides increasing their revenue, efficiency, and productivity. Some of the key benefits of optometry practice management software include the following items.
- Improved patient management. The software can store and organize patient data, including medical history, examination results, fundus or OCT images, and treatment plans. This information can be easily accessed by practitioners and used to inform patient care.
- Efficient appointment scheduling. The software can automate appointment scheduling, which can help to reduce the risk of double-booking and minimize wait times for patients.
- Accurate billing and insurance claims. The software can help to ensure that billing and insurance claims are processed accurately and efficiently, reducing the risk of errors and delays.
- Increased revenue. By streamlining billing and insurance claims processes, optometry practice management software can help eye care clinics to reduce errors and increase revenue.
- Easy access to patient records. The software can store and organize patient records, including OCT images, making it easy for doctors to access the information they need to provide the best care possible.
- Improved patient communication. Some optometry practice management software includes features that allow for secure messaging and email communication between patients and practitioners, making it easier to communicate outside of office visits.
- Increased productivity. By automating repetitive tasks, such as appointment scheduling and billing, optometry practice management software can free up time for eye care practitioners to focus on providing an individual approach to each patient.
- Better patient outcomes. With access to patient data and treatment history, eye care practitioners can provide more informed and effective care. This can lead to better patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.
Overall, optometry practice management software can help eye care clinics to provide better patient care, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve their bottom line. Now let’s take a look at out Top 8 optometry practice management software.
Altris AI
Altris AI is an image management system based on artificial intelligence (AI) tools that assists eye care specialists in OCT scan analysis and interpretation. The solution was designed in cooperation with retina experts to help practitioners detect the pathology from the OCT scan. Altris AI also can be easily integrated with EHR systems or used standalone as a web application.
To create an Altris AI system, our specialists colored thousands of OCT scans and named more than 100 retinal pathologies and pathological signs to train an AI algorithm. May sound complicated, but the workflow of the image management system is pretty simple.
- First, a user uploads an OCT b-scans to the platform, and the AI model evaluates the scans.
- After that, the model differentiates between normal scans and scans with moderate and severe pathology.
- With the help of the second step, eye care specialists are able to focus only on serious (red) scans, saving their precious time.
- After that, a user can highlight pathological signs with different colors, sort scans by severity level, and zoom.
It is important to mention that the patient’s diagnosis is always on the eye care practitioner’s side. Altris AI is a tool that provides assistance in support in decision-making and allows its users to see a broader perspective of a patient’s eye health.
Watch a short overview of how Altris AI assists eye care specialists with OCT diagnosis.
In addition, with Altris AI, users can work with all modern OCT equipment and popular data storage formats, such as DICOM of various lengths, png, and jpg. The patient data at all stages is tokenized and protected from disclosure. Eye care specialists can also actively use the Smart Reports feature, which allows users to select a single element (scan, layers, both eyes, etc.) that they want to see in their OCT report.
Acuitas activEHR 2.0
In case you are working at or owning a midsize or large optometry practice, this hybrid electronic health record solution will be quite useful. Acuitas activEHR 2.0 can be hosted in the cloud as well as deployed on-premise, depending on your preferences. This software offers its users a wide range of tools, including electronic medical records, billing software, scheduling, PACs, accounting software and billing services.
What is more, Acuitas activEHR 2.0 can provide optometry clinics with various marketing and upselling features, and you can also customize BI reporting and track benefits. Healthcare providers can reach out to patients via either SMS or email, which makes it much easier to schedule an appointment.
In addition, the optometry practice management software supports such features as IDA (Immediate Data Access), which allows practitioners to automatically update the frames. Acuitas activEHR 2.0 also offers a variety of application integrations.
MedFlow EMR
Next on our list — Medflow EMR software, which was designed to serve as either a standalone EMR (electronic medical record) or as a combination of EMR + practice management (PM) system. Like other optometry practice management software from our list, Medflow EMR was created specifically for eye care, but it can be used by eye care specialists providing both ophthalmology and optometry.
Medflow has a bunch of features, but the main one is the software has built-in templates designed for comfortable and time-saving work, including retina scans and surgery, cataracts, glaucoma, digital drawings, eye measurements, LASIK procedures, and more. In addition, it also has a base package, where ASC and optical modules are included.
Overall, this practice management software will suit a clinic of any size, be it solo practice or a large hospital. The Medflow interface can be easily integrated with other practice management systems or image interpretation applications. Also, the software can be used as a hosted solution or installed on-premise.
Liquid EHR
Liquid EHR software will be a perfect solution rather for small and midsize optometry practices than large hospitals. The broad range of its features includes medical records management, medical billing, scheduling and a lot more. The optometry practice management software provides eye care specialists with the ability to generate a mailing list, track systems workflow, manage documents, do compliance checks, integrate e-prescribing, and configurable exam records.
What is more, Liquid EHR has a number of specific optometry tools, such as historical IOP charts, drawing tools, built-in eye charts, frames data integration and image management. Optometrists can incorporate lab test results, view clinical summaries and send patient reminders.
In addition, the software also allows practitioners to have instant access to electronic insurance filing tools, patient recalls, drug interactions and allergy interaction checks, problem lists, active medication lists, medication recommendations, educational resources, smoking status, vital signs and more.
EyePegasusEHR
The EyePegasus optometry practice management software offers a solid number of tools and features for optometry practices. You can schedule appointments online, turn on the automatic appointment reminders, work with a patient portal, scan documents, use an optical calculator and an iOS app with patient check-in features.
Using EyePegasus, eye care specialists can customize different tabs by choosing a proper layout, and create templates for treatment documentation. Moreover, optometrists are able to scan medical images and upload them directly into a patient’s chart. The is also a possibility to create referral letters using auto-populated EHR data. Other EyePegasus tools include building and dispensing optical orders and online appointment management.
In addition, the optometry practice management software allows managing inventory of different items, such as lenses. EyePegasus also can be integrated with a variety of applications.
Eye Cloud Pro
Another optometry practice management software created for optical professionals is Eye Cloud Pro. The list of its data managing tools is really impressive and includes e-prescribing, inventory management, integrated credit card processing, electronic claims submission, device integrations, two-way texting (SMS), and ECP Billing.
The system also provides improved patient communication via secure messaging and email services. Clinic managers can configure various appointment types and lets clients request bookings via mobile or desktop devices. The software can be customized mailing lists, referral reports, account information, and sales reports to help with business strategy.
In addition, one more benefit of Eye Cloud Pro software is that it has an integrated payment processing system with automated invoice and receipt generation. It will make a clinic’s data safe and retained.
OD Link
Taking about comprehensive optometry practice management software, OD Link is one of the most suitable variants for any clinic. It has both PM and EMR/EHR tools, helping to manage patient records, exams, appointments, inventory, billing/insurance information, and much more.
OD Link software allows optometry practitioners to communicate with patients via SMS or email, work with electronic insurance claim processing centers, and create automated patient entrance forms.
It also has a mobile app for iOS users, can accept data input from electronic optometry equipment, and can be integrated with different applications.
ManagementPlus
Last but not least, ManagementPlus practice management software for optometrists was designed as a fully-fledged and customizable solution with a bunch of functions. With the help of this soft, eye care specialists can work with EHR, PM, ASC forms and inventory. It is also quite helpful in managing revenue cycle services, practice building and reputation management, business analytics and capital funding.
What is more, ManagementPlus solutions allow optometrists and clinic managers to work in one platform, which makes communication clear and unified. Users can track workflows and handle all billing from eligibility to collections.
In addition, ManagementPlus has an in-built reporting tool, which allows specialists to report on most fields in the system, while the practice management system provides a choice of two scheduling modules. Users have the option of choosing either cloud-based or on-premise deployment.
Summing up
Optometry management software is a perfect choice for any medical practice, including solo practices, midsize clinics, and large hospitals. It is a perfect tool not only for managing patients, optical instruments and aids. The software is also helpful in improving operations, increasing efficiency and revenue and streamlining the working process. Such solutions keep all the data in one place, powering optometrists to document the patient history directly from diagnosis, and managers to avoid unnecessary paperwork.
AI for OCT scan analysis
Register in a free Demo Account to see how it works: OCT scans with AMD, DR, early glaucoma are already inside.
Overall, optometry management software is a need for modern practice, as it improves the diagnosis and treatment, and even can be integrated with image management systems, like Altris AI. This integration assists in managing patient data, helps with controversial OCT scans, differentiate between pathological and non-pathological scans, and, most importantly, gives confidence to eye care specialists.
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Eye Hospital Management Software: Top 8 Solutions for your Clinic
Maria Znamenska
04.01.202310 min readThe term “Eye hospital management software” can have numerous meanings. Some soft can be a part of larger EMR (electronic medical records) systems, some can help with scheduling and billing, and some can help with patients’ information management. There is also an eye clinic management system that can even advise on diagnosis based on the patient’s history and medical images. Because of dozens of different soft on the market, it can be quite complicated to choose a proper set of tools for your practice.
If you are an ophthalmologist or manage an ophthalmic diagnostic center/hospital, you may have trouble choosing the right software. That is why we’ve decided to prepare a list of solutions for patients’ health recording and diagnosis. We will highlight the benefits of the ophthalmic practice management system and help you choose the right solution.
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Why eye hospital management software is worth using
Eye hospital management software has become extremely important for eye clinics or medical centers looking to streamline their workflows, automate processes, and provide higher-quality care with less effort. You can have piles of paper and numerous excels, but when someone is on vacation, it will be impossible to make sense of all data and use it quickly.
However, many clinics still work according to the old scheme and refuse to introduce new technologies into their clinical practice. There may be several reasons for this: mistrust of modern tools, reluctance to spend the money buying licensed eye clinic management system, or reluctance to spend staff time learning how to work with the program. But, in fact, today, there are systems designed specifically for ophthalmologists to function flawlessly in eye care settings. Here are some benefits that an eye clinic management system can provide to your medical practice. Let’s take a closer look at some of them:
- High level of data protection. Another important benefit of the ophthalmic practice management system is a high level of data protection. High-quality soft gives access to data only to authorized persons. The software also has security systems that guarantee no risk of data loss and full protection of medical history or information about the patient’s condition.
- Increasing diagnostic accuracy. Using an eye clinic management system, ophthalmologists improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment, as they get access to the whole patient’s history from the past to the present. An ophthalmologist can learn about the previous treatment their patient received and about chronic illnesses. By learning this, doctors can create a better treatment plan.
- Increased revenue. Depending on the number of employees in your clinic, you may need dozens to hundreds of personnel to smoothly handle manual processes. And more human resources mean more expenses. However, by using best practice management software for ophthalmology, you can significantly reduce spending and let your employees and doctors focus on the more creative tasks that require empathy and communication.
These are the most common benefits of an eye clinic management system. However, each system has its unique features, so let’s look at the top 8 eye clinic management systems.
Altris AI System
Altris AI is a unique eye clinic management system that allows eye care specialists to analyze OCT scans with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
How does it work? Putting it simply, retina specialists have colored thousands of OCT scans and named more than 100 retinal pathologies and pathological signs to train an algorithm, so it can assist specialists in detecting the disease. After loading an OCT scan in the eye hospital management software, the AI model evaluates the b-scans (up to 512) and differentiates between normal scans and scans with moderate and severe pathology. It gives eye care professionals the ability to focus only on serious (red) scans, saving patients valuable time.
In addition, Altris AI allows its users to see a broader perspective of a patient’s eye health. All the reports are dynamically editable: the ophthalmologist can add/revise/delete items in the OCT report. Eye care specialists also can add segmentation/classification results to the OCT report in 1 click. And what’s even more important, Altris AI OCT report is understandable for both ophthalmologists and patients.
Eye clinic management system features of Altris AI
- The system allows working with all popular OCT equipment and all data storage formats, including DICOM of various lengths, png, and jpg.
- Altris AI ophthalmic practice management system can be easily integrated with EHR systems or run standalone as a web application.
- The system also takes care of user security, as all important patient data is tokenized and protected from disclosure at all stages.
- The artificial intelligence program can independently identify more than 100 retinal pathologies and pathological signs.
- The Smart Reports feature allows ophthalmologists to select the elements (single scan, layers, both eyes, etc.) that they want to see in their OCT report.
- This All Scans feature allows the user to view all scans of a single OCT examination, sort them by severity level, and zoom.
Watch a short overview of how Altris AI assists eye care specialists with OCT diagnosis and decision-making.
DrChrono Software
DrChrono EHR is an iPad and iPhone-compatible platform that offers fully customizable form templates or ready-made forms to help users track patient information.
DrChrono EHR is an iPad and iPhone-compatible platform that offers fully customizable form templates or ready-made forms to help users track patient information.
Eye clinic management system features of DrChrono Software
- The system allows medical practices to manage patient admissions, patient care, clinical charts, and billing.
- Healthcare professionals can add patient notes to the medical record. The Vital Flowsheets module provides the ability to create basic health data and monitor the health indicators of each patient.
- The DrChrono eye hospital management software also offers a variety of application integrations.
- Doctors can use the Free Draw module to annotate charts, OCT scans, or other files.
RXNT Software
RXNT is a comprehensive billing, practice management, and EHR solution. This system improves patient care and simplifies clinical management. Access patient health history and prescriptions at the point of care, schedule patients and providers, and request and review lab or imaging orders with multi-site single sign-on (SSO).
Eye clinic management system features of RXNT Software
- Any RXNT ophthalmic practice management system products (EHR, ERX, PM, Billing, Scheduling) can be combined into a fully integrated “Full Suite” system.
- Ophthalmologists, managers, or staff can add and organize documents in patient charts for clinical care plans and follow-up.
- The system has developed customizable “smart” forms and short keys that improve work processes.
- RXNT can share real-time data with other doctors to better coordinate care and support.
In addition, an ophthalmic clinic can integrate RXNT eye hospital management software with the Altris AI system to create and dynamically edit OCT reports.
Medfiles Software
Medfiles Software is a multi-task cloud-based solution that ensures compliance for ophthalmology clinic employees. The key features of this eye hospital management software are drug screening management, medical record tracking, case management, training tools, reporting, and safety documentation.
Eye clinic management system features of Medfiles Software
- Medfiles tracks patient treatment plans, open cases, treatment plans, medical expenses, and cash reserves and creates conclusions based on all the information.
- The system can be easily integrated with different software so a doctor or staff can see scans of specific OCT examinations.
Medfiles eye clinic management system allows to compare annual summary reports with benchmarks.
IntelleChartPRO Software
Another cloud-based ophthalmic electronic medical record (EMR) solution is IntelleChartPRO. This system is very popular among ophthalmology clinics and centers. IntelleChartPRO helps professionals record and manage a patient’s treatment and medical history more effectively.
Eye clinic management system features of IntelleChartPRO Software
- Physicians or ophthalmology clinic management can customize the EHR themselves to fit their unique workflows.
- IntelleChartPRO eye hospital management software developed adaptive template technology that allows offices to generate templates for each patient.
- In combination with other eye clinic management system tools, the software becomes more relevant and allows more accurate diagnoses of patients and the creation of detailed reports.
MaximEyes Software
MaximEyes is a comprehensive, unified electronic health record (EHR) and practices management solution designed exclusively for ophthalmology practices. It has a modern and intuitive user interface. The system will work on any computer OS. If users do not want to use cloud technologies or the clinic has a weak Internet connection, MaximEyes can be deployed through a local server
Eye clinic management system features of MaximEyes Software
- For each patient, the system allows ophthalmologists to set up an individual template according to different types of visits.
- The eye hospital management software EHR includes a flexible rules engine that will suggest or automatically generate post-diagnosis codes, procedure codes, and output documents.
- The First Insight module also offers an ophthalmic imaging management solution that works with any EHR.
75health Software
One more fully-fledged eye clinic management system is 75health, which is also a cloud-based solution that provides its users with electronic health record tools. 75health system will be most suitable for managing health records and patient information for ophthalmologists working in small and mid-sized clinics.
Eye clinic management system features of 75health Software
- 75health eye hospital management software allows ophthalmic clinic staff to download and save patients’ medical images, such as consent forms, handouts, or scans.
- Doctors can also create a treatment plan for their patients right in the system and scan records for allergies, medications, lab results, and symptom lists.
- 75health solution provides smooth integration of ophthalmic management systems, which helps ophthalmologists in decision-making.
myCare Integrity Software
Another cloud-based eye hospital management software that is worth your attention is myCare Integrity. It was created specifically for eye care specialists and contains a strong set of tools and modules that can cover the needs of any member of the ophthalmic clinic staff: from doctors to managers.
Eye clinic management system features of myCare Integrity Software
- The myCare Integrity system has an IntegriVIEW functionality that allows practitioners to link medical images directly to every screen of EMR.
- There is also an IntegriDRAW module inside the eye clinic software, where templates are included in the application. It allows users to rely on the previously created stamps.
- The IntegriLINK module allows ophthalmologists to link the diagnostic equipment to the system.
- What is more, myCare Integrity eye hospital management software allows you to customize and personalize the dashboard.
Summing up
Eye hospital management software is extremely important for any clinic, whether there are 10 or 500 employees. It can help you improve your workflow by keeping a lot of data in one place. Imagine how easily you can get rid of unnecessary paperwork, forget about administrative costs, and speed up processing. In addition, with an ophthalmic practice management system, you can get 24/7 access to patients’ data.
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However, the key benefit of practice management software for opticians is the improvement of diagnosis and treatment. There are already ophthalmic image management systems, like Altris AI, that can not only help to manage patients’ data but also provide a second opinion regarding medical image analysis. Using this knowledge, doctors can have better access to patients’ health problems and reports, ultimately enabling them to provide the best care to their clients.
