(PRESS RELEASE) IbisVision, which offers breakthrough remote optometrist technology, is accelerating plans to roll out its platform to UK and US optometrists to help them in their battle to care for patients amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
The Glasgow, Scotland-based company is hiring new client-facing staff in both the UK and US, its initial main markets, to help optometrists and opticians learn more about the products and services that can allow for remote and non-contact eye-care assessments. The rollout is being funded by an injection of investment from Miami-based Compiler Venture Capital, which also facilitates IbisVision’s entry into the extensive US optical health market. Compiler has many years of experience within the optical sector, having helped develop and then sell For Eyes, a retail optician business with 150 locations across the US.
The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown have placed extensive limitations on businesses and professionals, with some predicting ongoing restrictions in some form for months or even years ahead. IbisVision’s technology could be lifechanging for those who at present may be unable to visit their eyecare specialist. The platform facilitates optical professionals to remotely examine eyes, or do so in the same location but without close contact, using a variety of tests including 24–2, Amsler Grid, Ishihara Colour and Visual Acuity. This allows for appointments, assessments and prescriptions, all without any need for direct contact between the medical professional and patient.
The technology could be additive to recommendations from the College of Optometrists, which in its Covid-19 guidance is advising for strict policies to ensure the potentially deadly virus is not spread through patient-optometrist contact. One of the key recommendations is to ensure that an initial video or telephone consultation is undertaken to determine the eyecare that may be required, and whether the patient may be suffering from Covid symptoms. IbisVision’s technology allows this stage to encompass a far greater range of activities, and may ultimately negate the need for an in-person consultation.
Going forward the technology allows for eyecare specialists to ensure they can treat a wider range of patients, who may at present be challenged in visiting their optometrist due to illness, mobility or location issues.
The platform, which has been trialled by industry-leading opticians, has also demonstrated increased functionality independent of its distance applications. For example, by using a single piece of equipment it dramatically reduces the space needed in a practice, freeing up room for lucrative retail activities.
IbisVision has also received funding in the form of two awards from Innovate UK, a government agency established to identify and accelerate innovative business ideas with the most potential. The combined funding, as well as supporting this rollout, will allow the business to target growth areas such as remote refraction and clinician-led remote examination and disease monitoring.
Commercial Director Melville Berwick commented: “Whilst we could never have foreseen the circumstances that we all face now, the Covid-19 pandemic has added real urgency to our efforts at IbisVision and validated our remote optometrist technology focus.Put simply, our technology could be the factor in saving someone’s eyesight. By allowing optometrists the ability to undertake a comprehensive eye test without having to meet up with the patient, we are playing our part in ensuring that we find our way through these difficult times. I’d encourage all eyecare specialist individuals and businesses to come and talk to us and see how we can help them continue to operate under these most trying conditions.”