Q&A: What you need to know about assistive eye wear for blind, visually impaired patients
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According to the Optometrists Network, one in six adults older than 45 years and one in four older than 75 has low vision, which can affect one’s ability to perform multiple tasks such as reading, driving and viewing TV or computer screens.
Some wearable visual aid devices, including the OrCam MyEye Pro and eSight, Envision and IrisVision glasses, use small cameras and enhanced footage on small screens to help improve residual vision in those with low vision.
Healio spoke with Aaron Tutwiler, the new CEO of eSight, a company that produces assistive eye wear, to discuss the future of ocular assistive technology and what optometrists need to know about these devices.
Healio: What type of patients would benefit from using electronic glasses?
Tutwiler: Electronic assistive glasses can be an extremely useful tool for patients with visual impairments. However, eSight glasses are unique in that they were built by medical researchers specifically for people who are legally blind and visually impaired due to central vision loss. ESight is a clinically validated, FDA-registered vision-enhancing device, and the glasses are used by thousands of people across the globe who suffer from low vision.
Past users who experience even the most extreme cases of vision loss with a visual acuity of 20/800 can see up to 20/20 with the device. ESight glasses can help people suffering from over 20 eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt’s disease, diabetic retinopathy and more.
Healio: How can optometrists approach implementing these devices into their practices?
Tutwiler: Optometrists interested in implementing technology and assistive eye wear into their practice can start by partnering with companies like eSight and other assistive device providers to learn more about potential fit for their patients. Technology providers are no longer restrained by physical or regional hurdles. New advances in telehealth and referral programs enable easy access for patients to determine the correct fit. If a clinic doesn’t want to purchase a test device for their practice, they can refer their patient to a remote telehealth service.
ESight telehealth services enable clinical providers to refer patients remotely to begin the consultation process, allowing patients to explore the device from the comfort of their own homes. Virtual consultations can increase efficiency and accessibility by reducing travel time and create a personalized, patient-centered experience from referral to usage. Remote specialists will ensure patients’ eligibility and coordinate an in-home evaluation.
During the telehealth appointment, an eSight clinical specialist will train the patient on how to maximize the device’s capabilities and features. Patients can then use the device for several days free of charge to learn and understand how it works for them, and ultimately decide whether it’s the right fit.
Healio: How can these devices be made more accessible to the patients who would benefit from them?
Tutwiler: The biggest barriers for most patients seeking mobility aids include financial means and general awareness. As technological innovation continues to advance, medical practitioners, insurance providers and innovators alike need to develop more avenues for accessibility through reduced cost, better insurance coverage and improved patient outreach.
Healio: How can medical professionals and technological innovators work together to push innovation forward in optometry?
Tutwiler: The best way to create a better experience for the user is to create a holistic support network.
Technology providers should work together with medical professionals to provide more access to assistive technologies with customized referral plans, remote and in-person demonstrations, and telehealth capabilities. Dedicating time and energy to provide open collaboration with medical researchers and professionals, and offering multiple options for virtual, in-person and hybrid touchpoints with our users create a greater, more holistic experience for those seeking help.
Healio: Where do you see this industry going in the next few years? What do you think should be priorities within the industry?
Tutwiler: Although an incredible amount of new tech wearables were introduced to the market over the past year, the world’s latest advancements have lacked a focus on accessibility and their impact on those with disabilities. Artificial intelligence is top of mind for many innovators within the wearable technology industry, and new consumer products like Apple’s Vision Pro AR headset provide incredible opportunities for the greater public to visually immerse themselves in a digitally enhanced world. However, few of these new devices are built to help those with low vision and lack the necessary research to provide an optimum inclusive experience.
As we see a solidification of this new wearable technology within the general consumer market, we’ll begin to see a greater investment in developing that technology for more specialized capabilities like enhanced sight.
Healio: The newest model of the eSight device, eSight Go, is coming out this fall. What makes this device different from previous models?
Tutwiler: The eSight Go is the fifth generation of eSight’s life-changing technology for people who are blind or visually impaired. This new edition is the next generation of vision technology, providing the best visual experience possible with an overall enhancement.
Its new form factor is a key differentiator. Its neck-worn battery pack replaces eSight’s previous halo design, allowing eSight users additional comfort due to reduced weight and extended usage periods.
Improved image stabilization provides the wearer with enhanced vision and clarity in more activities of daily living. The device is also equipped with exchangeable nose pieces to optimally position the device for vision enhancement and comfort. The glasses’ improved battery life enables users to see clearly for more than 3 hours on a single charge, and the upgraded image stabilization software provides a smoother, more natural visual range.
Reference:
- What is low vision? https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-low-vision/low-vision. Published June 1, 2020. Accessed Aug. 31, 2023.
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