Visionix USA and 20/20NOW announced the latest addition to their joint ocular telemedicine and tele-optometry program: diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening.
Give me the rundown on these players first.
20/20NOW is a tele-optometry company using advanced technology, proprietary software, and patient exam processes to deliver comprehensive eye exams for patients in both healthcare professional (HCP) and optical retail locations across 34 U.S. states.
As a medical manufacturer, Visionix USA develops core refractive, screening, and imaging technologies for eyecare professionals (ECPs). Notable among its products is the Optovue line of optical coherence tomography (OCTs).
Now ... since when were they collaborating?
The companies launched a strategic alliance in November 2023 to offer affordable telehealth-based comprehensive eye exams across the country.
The intent: to significantly reduce the duration of 20/20NOW’s tele-optometry exams.
Note: The exams typically take less than 30 minutes.
And since then?
The companies announced a new tele-optometry program last month in which Visionix’s diagnostic ophthalmic devices are integrated with 20/20NOW’s tele-optometry platform.
How it works: The 20/20NOW platform connects to Visionix’s devices, enabling opticians to provide tele-optometry exams with optometrists and expand their practices without adding an in-house clinician.
What’s typically offered with this tele-optometry platform?
We’ll break it down for you, step by step:
- Electronic medical record (EMR) of patient’s medical history
- Visual pre-testing conducted by an on-site optical assistant
- Visual acuity (VA) testing performed on-site via real-time remote doctor/technician
- Eye health exam conducted by on-site optical technician for:
- Ocular alignment and motility, pupil function, color vision, visual field testing, etc.
- Live clinical review with licensed optometrist via video conferencing (prescription finalization)
- All patient data captured in EMR for easy portability of records
- Electronic (spectacle) prescription sent to patient within minutes of exam completion
Alrighty, now talk about this DR screening.
The companies’ ocular telehealth program is now equipped to enable DR screening technology, which will be introduced during next month’s 2024 American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Nexus Conference and Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, May 5-7, 2024.
According to Visionix’s Matt Vulich, vice president of National Accounts and Optical Sales, the company’s “new ocular telehealth program with 20/20NOW offers several Visionix device options—from straightforward retinal screening to comprehensive multimodal screening of eye diseases.”
Why DR, specifically?
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults—affecting nearly one-third of adults over the age of 40 diagnosed with diabetes.
“Improved access to screening for and treatment of DR may reduce the burden of diabetes-related vision loss,” the CDC stated.
Plus, vision screening remains scarce among diabetic patients, with an estimated 50% not receiving their recommended annual exam, according to a 2019 study.
So what’s the purpose behind the program?
Ultimately, to allow for more clinical practices to offer specialty care for underserved patients such as those with DR, per 20/20NOW CEO Chuck Scott.
The added benefit of such technology also includes:
- Potential for an increase in optical sales
- Reduced amount of backlog for multi-location practices with limited coverage
- Ability to export completed patient medical records to a clinician’s existing electronic health records (EHR)
Where can I demo this?
If you’re attending ATA next month, you’re in luck!
The companies will be providing one-on-one consultations at their booth (#814) on how to get started with these telehealth exams as well as info on:
- Establishing a comprehensive screening program (including DR)
- Practicing visual tools for DR patient consultations
- Legal, information technology (IT), and electronic medical record (EHR) compatibility
- Also: return on investment (ROI), staffing, and OPEX considerations
Click here to book an appointment.