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Better outcomes start with a Primed Practice.
According to the journal Ophthalmology, by 2035 the demand for ophthalmologists is projected to increase by 24%, while the number of ophthalmologists is projected to decrease by 12%. That gap is expected to grow, as 60% of the current optometric workforce is planning to retire within the next decade.
It’s also estimated that up to 60% of existing optometry clinics are understaffed, leading to what is called “dim” (less than 3 days of doctor coverage) or “dark” (zero days of doctor coverage) clinics. These clinics can lose up to $16,000 per week of the practice revenue when there is no doctor present. As a result, optometry and ophthalmology care are evolving to add telehealth appointments, extending the reach and efficiency of remote eye care providers to care for in-clinic patients.
The “too many patients, not enough doctors” crisis in eye care threatens to increase preventable loss of vision and significant financial losses for existing clinics. This trend will only increase with aging populations, sedentary lifestyles, rising chronic eye diseases, decreasing reimbursements, and increasing healthcare costs. — Keith Brock, Chief Product Officer, Heru.
Enter Heru—offering clinically-validated solutions that combine advanced VR technology with AI-powered software to improve efficiency, expand reach, and enhance patient outcomes amid growing demand and declining resources.
Prior to Heru, the remote eye exam consisted of a trained technician collecting all the necessary data required for a comprehensive examination by a remote optometrist. For many elements of the comprehensive eye exam, automation and digitization has enabled entry-level technicians to collect diagnostic data such as the fundus photo, intraocular pressure, and objective refraction. However, there are a handful of ancillary tests such as cover near, cover distance, extraocular motility, and pupils, that require manual collection. In those instances, on-site technicians were asked to collect this data themselves while being recorded or monitored remotely by an optometrist from a web camera. This manual process increased the potential for errors, leading to a decline in the standard of care.
Through pioneering innovation, Heru Prime has completely automated and digitized cover, extraocular motility, and pupil testing [Figure 1]. Now with Heru Prime, remote optometrists have access to highly sensitive and specific, reliable, repeatable and fully digitized ancillary testing for their telehealth evaluation, resulting in best-in-class correlation to the standard of care.
The benefits are democratized, high-quality eye care accessible to all; while geographic limitations, time constraints, and the scarcity of specialized professionals become opportunities instead of obstacles. As we look to the future of using VR in eye care, the benefits are real:
The use of VR technology is poised to mitigate the impact of professional shortages, address the challenges posed by aging populations and increasing chronic eye diseases, and potentially improve visual health outcomes on a global scale. The evolution of eye care through VR technology represents a pivotal moment in healthcare innovation. As this technology continues to advance and integrate into mainstream practice, it promises to reshape the landscape of eye care. The future is here, and the time is now.
Better outcomes start with a Primed Practice.
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