Bioptic telescope system-developer Ocutech Inc. is launching a limited first release of the SideSight, an ultrasonic sensor device designed exclusively to aid patients experiencing homonymous hemianopia (HH)—loss of side (peripheral) vision.
First, a low vision refresher.
One of the most common causes for low vision among adults is due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), followed by glaucoma, diabetes, and Stargardt’s disease (which result in reduced central vision).
Other ocular diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), choroideremia, and late-stage glaucoma can lead to reduced peripheral vision.
- In this instance, patients develop “tunnel vision,” which can cause difficulties in seeing at night or in darker environments.
Enter in bioptics.
Breaking it down: Ocutech defines “bioptics” as a vision-enhancing system that incorporates a telescopic device with standard eyeglasses.
- The design: The telescope is positioned at the top of the eyeglass frame, enabling a user to transition from their regular eyeglass vision to the telescope’s magnified vision.
Now a quick company rundown.
Established in 1985, Ocutech, Inc. is a Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based medical equipment manufacturer of advanced, high-quality eyeglass telescope low vision aids (ie: bioptics) for visually impaired customers.
The products: Available as prescription-based only, the company’s offerings include a variety of bioptic telescopes and telescope systems.
- Note: In 1996, Ocutech developed the world’s first autofocusing bioptic telescope system for visually impaired patients, dubbed the “Visual Enhancement System (VES)-Autofocus (VES-AF).”
- Today: Per the company, these telescopes are prescribed by low-vision specialists in +40 countries around the globe.
Let’s talk funding.
The company has received over $1.5 million in research grant funding from both the National Eye Institute (part of the National Institutes of Health) and Canada’s Ontario Ministry of Health.
Gotcha. Moving on to this new device.
Following 2 years of clinical development and testing, the Ocutech SideSight is designed as a lateral awareness alert system for addressing the following low vision impairments:
- Hemianopsia
- Spatial neglect
- Tunnel vision
How it works: The lightweight device (0.6 oz) attaches to eyeglass frames to alert—via vibration—the wearer of any obstacles on their impaired side of the visual field (VF).
- Note: It’s also interchangeable for use on the left, right, or both sides (in the case of tunnel vision) of the frame.
What other features does it include?
Quite a few, including:
- Two versions
- Temple- and clip-mounted
- Vibration alert based on proximity to obstacles
- 45° field of view, both horizontally and vertically
- Intuitive notification algorithm
- For minimizing excessive alerts
- Low-power battery use
- Operable for 12 hours of use with single charge
- Connectable via a USB-C cable to a wall cube or laptop
- Adaptive to VF loss
How are the settings controlled?
The device comes with presettings “designed to work well for most situations,” according to Ocutech.
However: Users can adjust five key performance settings (see below) by downloading the SideSight Settings Application:
- Distance ranging frequency
- Vibration intensity
- Monitored distance zones
- Sensor notification sensitivity
- Alert vibrations (per distance zone)
Note: The app is password-protected and reportedly only available via Windows computers.
What’s its regulatory status?
SideSight is noted as being FDA-registered in the United States and filed under the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment (DME) as mobility assistive equipment.
And in the European Union:
- CE certified
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) compliant
And the price?
The device’s recommended patient price is $850.
Note: Insurance coverage for Ocutech devices vary; customers are advised to reach out to their insurance company representative to confirm.
- When billing for such devices, use the V2615 ophthalmic product code.
Gotcha … so how do I order these for my patients?
First: Eyecare professionals must have an account established with Ocutech before ordering.
Then: Click here or here.
Note: Only low vision specialists may order any Ocutech products directly—not patients.
And when will this limited release kick off?
Mid-2024, according to the company. So stay tuned!