EyeQuick----Very slick device

EyeQuick™ Digital Ophthalmoscope Camera

by Marc Ellman, MD | September 2012

EyeQuick™ makes retinal and anterior segment imaging simple, portable, and affordable.
Modeled after a direct ophthalmoscope, the EyeQuick™ Digital Ophthalmoscope Camera is a high resolution digital device that can easily photograph both the anterior segment and posterior segment (Figure 1). Readily portable, EyeQuick records both still images and video; and its LCD screen allows clinicians to use the device at a distance from their own faces, making EyeQuick useful in a variety of clinical settings (Figures 2A and 2B). Images or video can be viewed immediately on the device or ported via USB memory drive to a computer, EMR system, printer, or email.

Why EyeQuick?
EyeQuick is less than half the price of other ophthalmic cameras, and since photographs taken with it can be billed for reimbursement (code 92250 for retinal photographs [about $75]; or 92285 for anterior segment photographs [about $25]), the return on investment should be rapid and robust.
Extremely compact and lightweight—at 12.55 oz, it weighs about as much as a can of soda—EyeQuick makes it possible to capture detailed anterior and posterior segment images in patients with limited mobility. Being able to bring the camera to the patient, rather than the other way around, can be a tremendous advantage.
Doctors who do hospital or nursing home consults, emergency room calls, or mission work will find EyeQuick very useful. Wheelchair-bound patients and those on stretchers can now be photographed with ease, and any patient can be photographed without the aid of a nurse or technician. Because EyeQuick comes in a small metal carrying case with space for additional charged batteries, bringing the device to remote areas is simple.
The camera itself has 200 MB of internal memory, with the ability to store over 10,000 pictures. Video occupies more memory; but, again, files can be downloaded to a USB memory drive for later use. EyeQuick uses a standard Welch Allyn battery and charger. Finally, the camera is very easy and intuitive to use.
Developing EyeQuick
I had the idea for EyeQuick about 10 years ago, when I was a resident; but at the time, I lacked the resources to pursue it. After I opened my practice, I revisited the notion and reached out to an intellectual property attorney and an engineer. About 5 years after that, we obtained FDA 510(k) clearance. With business now picking up, I have hired a full-time person to handle operations and have a sales team of more than 20 reps.
When I designed the camera, I thought it would appeal primarily to doctors currently without other imaging solutions; but a large number of EyeQuick purchasers already have retinal cameras. EyeQuick appeals to them because of its convenience, portability, and versatility, as well as the high quality anterior segment photos it takes.
EyeQuick in the Future
We are currently putting together a software package for EyeQuick to allow users to manage data more easily on their PCs. We are also considering other handheld ophthalmic instruments and plan to grow EyeQuick into a company with global recognition. We have received inquiries from as far away as Kenya, and I believe we offer a real advantage to practitioners in the developing world.

---

Marc Ellman, MD, is founder and president of EyeQuick, LLC. He practices at Southwest Eye Institute, in El Paso, TX. Refractive Eyecare managing editor Jennifer Zweibel assisted in the preparation of this manuscript.

Advances in Cataract Surgery

 

The diagnosis of cataract with it’s ensuing visual challenges has led to a progressive step wise improvement in technique, hospitalization (or lack thereof), a brief post operative recovery period and fewer intraoperative and post-operative complications during recovery.

Intracapsular surgery with aphakia and rehabilitation with contact lenses or aspherical high diopter spectacle lenses became obsolete, replaced by extra capsular manual cataract removal, followed by the development of ultrasound phacoemulsification of the crystalline lens.  This technique allowed for the safer implantation of a  pseudophacos in the anatomical space.

Further manual refinement included capsulorrhexix of the anterior capsule, allowing for a consistent placement of the artificial lens inside the vacant lens capsule. 

Clinical experience and patient expectations motivated further refinement of pseudophacos design in materials, haptic design, and multi-focal design.

The addition of refractive surgical  techniques using arcuate corneal incisions, astigmatic pseudophacos further evolved the cataract operation to one where over 80% of patients no longer needed any correction after surgery and could return to work in 24 hours, with some exceptions for laborers or very physically active patients.

The development of YAG laser allowed for a non invasive procedure for the common occurrence of ‘after-cataract:

FEMTO-SECOND LASER for cataract surgery has added another tool, further refining and automating much of the procedure, with the assistance of advanced imaging for precision, replication and repeatability of the procedure.

ALCON , known for it’s ophthalmic products and commitment to cataract removal has developed the “LenSx Laser” platform integrating a robotic system which consist of the microscope, coupling device, femto-second laser, integrated ocular coherence tomography (OCT) combined with a three dimensional imaging system which images the entire anterior segment down to the posterior capsule.

Once the image is obtained and the metrics are computed  the resulting combination allows for corneal entrance incisions, arcuate astigmatic corneal incisions, anterior capsulotomoy, and nuclear quadrantic dissection without surgeon intervention.

The last steps, phacoemulsification and placement of the intra-ocular lens require the use of a phaco-emulsifier, a technique which has been used for about 30 years.

Modern state of the art cataract removal has been facilitated and has been highly effective in improving outcomes, and reducing the cost of this surgery (which is done over 2 million times/year in the United States.

Previously the cost including surgeon’s fees, three days of in patient hospitalization has been reduced from over 4500 per eye to a one hour surgery as an outpatient with a cost of under 1800 dollars to Medicare.

Ophthalmology has had this in place for 30 years !

Technorati Tags: femtosecond laser,phacoemulsification,pseudophacos,ppaca,outcome studies,medicare budget,cataract,outpatient surgery,capsulorrhexix