Features unique to Aetheia
When compared to a traditional slit lamp the Aetheia offers many unique features and benefits, explored in detail below:
1 Camera rotation
Ability to pan the camera through 120 degrees of rotation, creating oblique views of the eye, impossible to achieve with a traditional slit lamp due to the ergonomic limitations of a human looking through the oculars. This allows unparalleled views of the contours of the cornea and will aid with the diagnosis of corneal dystrophies and the presence and depth of irregularities or foreign bodies. Also would aid with the fitting of contact lenses, to see the fitting from a much more ‘side on’ position.
2 No pixelation zoom
The ability to zoom in a lot closer, without pixelation, on captured images than would be possible with a phone camera attachment on a traditional slit lamp due to the resolution of the camera.
3 Better collaboration
The ability to invite 3rd party specialists and secondary care clinicians onto an eye exam for discussion and diagnosis.
4 4k resolution
Capturing 4K resolution images and video to export onto patient management platform.
5 Seamless integration
Theia can be integrated into any customer’s Patient management systems, so the clinician does not have to change their current set up in practice or have additional extra PCs and screens to run a separate image capture device.
6 Improved productivity
The ability to open practices for longer periods of time, due to the time shifting capabilities of remote clinicians being in differing time zones, but all examining patients using a single Aetheia.
7 Remote capabilities
Remote capabilities allow ECPs to work in distant areas, without having to travel to the practice*. Helping to improve coverage in dark stores, or relieve busy store’s workloads.
Where Aetheia is better than a slit lamp
Below is some further explanation of where the Aetheia device performs better than a traditional slit lamp when used in a working setting:
1 Improved control for assessment
Full control and awareness of the angles of both the light box and camera, which is vital when carrying out certain examination tasks, such as Van Herick’s grading, where the camera must be at 0 degrees and the light box at 60 degrees to the side to assess the depth of a patient’s anterior chamber angle. Also, specular reflection, where the light and camera must be opposite, but equally separated by 40 degrees. This allows correct assessment of the image quality seen by the clinician when reflecting light off the tear film, cornea, or other ocular structures, rather than just relying on the ECP thinking they have achieved the correct angles.
2 Real time image capture
No need for the ECP to take their gaze away from the screen during the capturing of images, as the camera feed is seen in real time. Using a digital attachment, often displaces the focal point seen by the clinician and the sensor on the attachment, so the ECP has to take their eyes from the binoculars and look at the image on a separate screen to keep the image in focus.
3 Time saving to improve customer experience
The ability to capture and store images and videos instantly, and then replay them to the patient immediately. This is not only time saving, compared to alternative systems, it also improves the patient experience and their perception of the care they are receiving.
4 Remote operation
Aetheia can be used in person, as well as used remotely, meaning it is able to be used every day, in practice and by remote clinicians. No need for 2 different pieces of equipment or adaptors/etc.
5 Easier learning curve
Much quicker adaptation to Aetheia than with traditional slit lamp allows practitioners and clinicians to be more proficient in a much shorter time frame.
