Page 26 - July-August 2020

ACEP DIRECT LAUNCHES PUPX VIDEO GAMES

CAN HELP
and augmented reality simulations.
It’s new Digital Pupillometer is said PATIENTS WITH
to be faster and more powerful CONVERGENCE
than a traditional one, as the PUPX
application allows one to not only INSUFFICIENCY
easily take the pupil distance but
also the pupil heights while adhering
to the need to maintain a distance Researchers from the University
Social distancing has become the of 1 meter between the optician of New South Wales in Sydney,
new ‘normal’ ever since the Covid and the customer. Australia, have found that
pandemic disrupted the world and convergence insufficiency can be
made it mandatory to follow safety “PUPX replaces the traditional successfully treated with the help of
protocols everywhere. pupillometer by adding the
measurements of pupil heights. This video games.
Using the traditional pupilometer application speeds up the digitisation
to take a customer’s measurements of points of sale,” emphasises Jean In a recent study, the research
has become a difficult task owing to Philippe SAYAG, Chairman and CEO team noted that visual exercise
the need to maintain proper distance. of ACEP DIRECT, France. games in virtual reality (VR) designed
Appreciating this fact, Acep Direct to increase convergence while
has introduced a Digital Pupillometer ACEP DIRECT sells the application maintaining single, clear, binocular
PUPX to assist and protect the directly on its website. The optician vision could prove to be a useful
optician and the eyeglass wearer buys the license, downloads his/her treatment option.
while taking in-store measurements. application from the App Store and
receives an access code and eyeglass The study team analysed
ACEP DIRECT, is acclaimed as holder. The application is currently 18 patients with convergence
a leader in digital measurements installed only on the iPad iOS 13. insufficiency who were given
either anaglyphs or a VR game
USE APPS DESIGNED TO TEST KIDS’ called “Snakes.” The prescribed
EYESIGHT WITH CAUTION training regimen was 20 minutes,
three times a week for six weeks.
Later, while assessing the vision
The Royal College of paediatric ophthalmologist and before and after the treatment
Ophthalmologists (RCO) and the Chair of the RCOphth Paediatric period, the researchers discovered
British & Irish Orthoptic Society have Sub-Committee said, “Parents and a significant effect for near point of
released rapid advice pertaining to guardians are naturally concerned convergence, near positive fusional
the use of vision testing apps about the vision of their children. reserves break and recovery but
for children during the Covid-19 Whilst access to hospital eye units not of the intervention type. They
pandemic lockdown. and to paediatric ophthalmologists informed that the total time played

According to them, certain and orthoptists during COVID-19 was noticeably longer for the virtual
measures were put in place to reduce is restricted, it can be tempting for reality Snakes game as compared
to the anaglyph intervention, with a
exposure of patients to the risk of parents and patient groups acting on
catching Covid-19. These included the behalf of parents, to campaign for the mean compliance of 82% and 51%,
expanded use of technology such as use of new technology to diagnose respectively.
video-consultations. However, they conditions, like amblyopia. I strongly According to the researchers,
found that such new technology does recommend that the use of novel the increased compliance of the
not always allow for the accurate technology is very carefully assessed game modality will be useful in
testing of vision and even though new and parents advised appropriately convergence insufficiency treatment,
apps are being trialled, to date, there of the potential risks and benefits. If as adult patients often stop
is not sufficient evidence to support there is any significant doubt about treatment when symptoms start
their use in all age groups.
the reliability of test result then a face to improve and before treatment is
Susmito Biswas, consultant to face consultation may be required.” complete.

| JULY-AUG 2020 | 22 OPTOMETRY NEWS