Nadine, the robot that can empathise and share memories See her in action
here: youtu.be/cvbJGZf-raY
Peek Vision are combining both technologies into one smartphone app 6 .
Primarily developed as a tool for use in developing countries, when finished,
Peek will be able to carry out visual acuity testing, contract sensitivity tests,
refraction, retinal photography and colour vision.
With these miniaturised technologies, it is not difficult to see how the
traditional role of the optometrist could easily be replaced. Either by an optical
assistant with a smart phone or an autonomous robot, equipped with a suite
of vision tests and diagnostic equipment. ‘Real’ optometrists would simply be
needed to validate the results. If this approach to telemedicine worries you,
how about the patient performing the tests on their own smartphone at home
and then printing their own glasses with a 3D printer?
Artificial intelligence
The foresight report does predict that the NHS is likely to be
commissioning more community eye care services from optometrists in
the 2020s. But even the clinical diagnosis and management of eye disease
isn’t an area completely safe from automation. Google’s DeepMind division
recently signed a deal with two NHS trusts to share patient data with
artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to predict those at risk of acute kidney
injury 7 . And AI has also been used to screen fundus photographs for diabetic
retinopathy 8 ; with similar success rates to trained graders.
Humanoid companions
And if you think the softer skills of communication, empathy and bedside
manner are irreplaceable, think again. Scientists at Nanyang Technological
University in Singapore have developed an intelligent robot which, they say,
could be used as a companion or nurse for the elderly 9 . This lifelike robot with
a Scottish accent can recognise and respond to human emotions with uncanny
accuracy.
It will take a while before we actually get to the point where patients can
carry out an eye examination on the ir phone at home or where a humanoid
robot can replace the traditional roles of an optometrist or dispensing optician.
But technology is developing at rate never seen before. Businesses and
professionals that aren’t ready to change will find it increasingly difficult
to survive.
References
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
The Optical Confederation, Foresight report March 2016
General optical Council Education Strategic Review, call for evidence. March 2017
https://www.d-eyecare.com/ (accessed 21 March 2017)
Muiesan, M.L et al. Ocular Fundus Photography with a Smartphone Device in Acute
Hypertension. Journal of Hypertension, 2016; 34(OP.8D.06)
Russo, A et al. Comparison of Smartphone Ophthalmoscopy With Slit-Lamp
Biomicroscopy for Grading Vertical Cup-to-Disc Ratio. Journal of Glaucoma, 2016;
25(9), 777-781
http://www.peekvision.org/ (accessed 21 March 2017)
Google’s DeepMind agrees new deal to share NHS patient data, New Scientist, 22
November 2016
Gulshan V, et al. Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Algorithm
for Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in Retinal Fundus Photographs. JAMA.
2016;316(22):2402-2410.
Is robotics a solution to the growing needs of the elderly? BBC News 17 March
2017. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39255244 (accessed 21 March 2017)
Events
Calendar
Royal College of
Ophthalmologists
Annual Congress
22nd – 25th May 2017
Liverpool
www.rcopth.ac.uk
BCLA Clinical
Conference & Exhibition
9th – 11th June 2017
Liverpool
www.bcla.org.uk
Therapeutics London
24th – 25th September 2017
London
www.aop.org.uk/education-and-events/
events/2017/09/24/therapeutics london-2017
43rd Hospital Optometrists
Annual Conference
7th – 8th October 2017
Leeds
www.aop.org.uk/education-and-events/events/
2017/10/07/43rd-hospital-optometrists-annual-
conference
North Yorkshire
LOC Meeting
17th October 2017
York
www.loc-net.org.uk/north-yorkshire-local-
optical-committee
Eyecare Conference and
Exhibition 2018
21st – 22nd January 2018
Glasgow
www.cetpoints.com/events
April 2017 | etCETera 11