Clinical standards with Aetheia:Remote
Background
SpaMedica needed to maintain consistent cataract grading quality across its network while improving flexibility in clinic staffing. In-person examinations delivered excellent outcomes, but covering all sites with their own in-house Optometrists was increasingly challenging, particularly during periods of high demand, and this was impacting the number of clinics being scheduled and ensuring they were completed ‘the SpaMedica way’.
Challenge
Before expanding the use of remote examinations, SpaMedica required clear evidence that Aetheia:Remote could support cataract grading at the same standard as traditional in-person assessment. The clinical team needed to confirm that remote Optometrists could reach identical conclusions to those working directly with the patient.
Aetheia's Contribution
Over a two-week period, SpaMedica carried out a structured evaluation using Aetheia:Remote, involving 104 patients across the full range of clinics. For each patient, a Principal or Senior Optometrist completed the standard in-person slit lamp examination and a remote Optometrist also conducted a real-time examination of the same patient using Aetheia:Remote. This approach was applied across all clinic types including YAG Laser pre-assessment, and pre- and post-operative cataract clinics. After each matched pair of examinations, both clinicians compared their findings and gradings.
Outcome
Across all examination scenarios the remote and in-person Optometrists reached the same clinical conclusions and gradings. This confirmed that Aetheia:Remote delivered the image quality, consistency, and clinical confidence required for accurate cataract grading, while offering SpaMedica greater flexibility and resilience in their examination workflows, and Aetheia was then rolled out to other locations.
Feedback
“Aetheia:Remote gave me complete confidence in the examination. The image quality and consistency meant my remote assessments matched what I would expect to see in person.”
Sarah Hardy, National Lead Optometrist, SpaMedica
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