Body & Mind

Add-ons let iPhones perform anterior and retinal eye exams

Add-ons let iPhones perform anterior and retinal eye exams
The visoClip and visoScope (pictured) are compatible with every Apple smartphone since the iPhone 5
The visoClip and visoScope (pictured) are compatible with every Apple smartphone since the iPhone 5
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The visoScope is designed to add retinal imaging capabilities to the iPhone, providing an alternative to conventional ophthalmoscopes
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The visoScope is designed to add retinal imaging capabilities to the iPhone, providing an alternative to conventional ophthalmoscopes
The visoClip and visoScope (pictured) are compatible with every Apple smartphone since the iPhone 5
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The visoClip and visoScope (pictured) are compatible with every Apple smartphone since the iPhone 5
The visoScope is available in three different builds at three different price points, giving users a choice of nylon SLS, polyurethane and acetal resin finishes
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The visoScope is available in three different builds at three different price points, giving users a choice of nylon SLS, polyurethane and acetal resin finishes
According to their creators, the visoClip and visoScope perform well compared to more traditional alternatives
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According to their creators, the visoClip and visoScope perform well compared to more traditional alternatives
The visoClip is designed to turn the user's iPhone into an anterior segment microscope
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The visoClip is designed to turn the user's iPhone into an anterior segment microscope
The visoClip can be used to capture high-resolution views of the front third of the eye, spotting issues such as corneal lesions
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The visoClip can be used to capture high-resolution views of the front third of the eye, spotting issues such as corneal lesions
View gallery - 6 images

Visual impairment and blindness is an extremely widespread issue that affects an estimated 285 million people across the globe, with nine of out of 10 cases occurring in developing regions. oDocs Eye Care is hoping to put a dent in those numbers, producing low-cost, portable eye examination accessories designed to harness the power of the iPhone.

The first of two accessories is a small clip that grips the top of the smartphone, resting snugly over the rear camera lens. Known as the visoClip, it's designed to turn the user's iPhone into an anterior segment microscope, used to capture high-resolution views of the front third of the eye.

It's durable and waterproof, providing 10x magnification, and featuring a 15 mm (0.6 in)-wide light beam that comes with white and cobalt blue optical filters. The latter allows doctors to use stains in the eye to more clearly pick out issues.

The visoClip can be used to capture high-resolution views of the front third of the eye, spotting issues such as corneal lesions
The visoClip can be used to capture high-resolution views of the front third of the eye, spotting issues such as corneal lesions

The second accessory, known as the visoScope, is designed to add retinal imaging capabilities to the iPhone. It makes use of anti-reflective crown lens and provides a 50° field of view. Known as a fundus camera, it fits over the lens and flash of the smartphone, attaching via a thumbscrew on the front of the phone.

The visoScope is available in three different builds at three different price points, giving users a choice of nylon SLS, polyurethane and acetal resin finishes. According to the company, the performance of the imaging device is similar to that of a conventional fundus camera.

If the idea of augmenting smartphones to create eye examination kits sounds familiar, it's probably because we've seen the concept before. Stanford University researchers came up with a similar prototype device back in 2014, and other devices like the Peek eye testing system had the same idea of using smartphone cameras for eye care.

The visoScope is designed to add retinal imaging capabilities to the iPhone, providing an alternative to conventional ophthalmoscopes
The visoScope is designed to add retinal imaging capabilities to the iPhone, providing an alternative to conventional ophthalmoscopes

As to the oDocs add-ons, both accessories are compatible with every smartphone Apple has released since the iPhone 5, including larger devices devices like the iPhone 6s Plus, and all the way up to the iPhone SE.

The accessories are available for pre-order right now, with the visoClip priced at US$149, and the visoScope starting at $249 for the Nylon SLS variant. The Polyurethane version is priced at $325, while the more premium acetal add-on comes in at $495. Orders are expected to ship by November this year.

Source: oDocs Eye Care

View gallery - 6 images
2 comments
2 comments
FábioAlvesCorrêa
In other related news, a new add-on let Ferraris pull plows. If they really want to make these add-ons to help people in *developing countries*, make these add-ons work with more affordable phones, not luxury ones like the iPhone.
Wombat56
@FábioAlvesCorrêa
The device may need features that a high end phone can provide, such as auto-focus.
Also there are many other medical add-ons that are designed to fit an iPhone, so the single phone may be the core of a whole diagnostic kit.
Try going to medicalautomation.org and plug iphone into their search box for a small sample.