Opting for Apps
A look at some available optical apps on the market and how they can help improve your business
By Alicia Hoglund
EyeDecide features interactive diagrams and information on various eye conditions, making it a helpful dispensing tool for ECPs. Image courtesy of Orca Health
The ever-increasing popularity of smartphones and tablet devices offers eyecare practitioners new avenues for reaching and communicating with patients.
Here, we highlight a few of the optical apps developed to aid patient education in the office and increased compliance at home.
APPS FOR ECPS
■ EyeDispense HD (Eyedispense.com): This iPad-compatible app is designed for ECPs to help patients choose their new eyewear and eliminate the “I'll think about it” response at dispensing. While the ECP pans around the patient, EyeDispense records video and captures screenshots, providing patients with a view of themselves in a particular frame style from every angle—all in less than 40 seconds. ECPs can then play and pause video for up to four frame styles. In addition, the app allows patients to email or upload their photos to Facebook for friend approval.
■ Optical Tool (Brent McCardle): Developed for opticians by an optician, Optical Tool provides ECPs with instant access to day-to-day calculations, including back vertex, center thickness, condensed power, and much more. With the number pad, users can quickly add sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism. Also, the app provides a quick reference to ANSI as well as support email built directly into the app.
EyeDispense's video and photo capture capabilities provide patients with a 360-degree view of themselves in different eyewear, making frame selection a breeze. Image courtesy of Eyedispense.com
| HELPFUL TOOLS |
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| Help patients help themselves by suggesting apps designed to increase patient compliance outside of the office. RxmindMe (Free): With nine different types of reminders, it's easier than ever to remember to take a pill or administer an eye drop. Users can also set up refill reminders and track the history of their medications. In addition, RxmindMe allows users to attach pictures of their prescriptions and search the FDA Drug Database for medication information. Lenstoss ($0.99): By entering a few details about their contact lens prescriptions, users can set up reminders notifying them to replace their lenses, schedule an eye exam, and even set up an automated email to notify their doctor when a new prescription is needed. PackLists (Free). This app by The Vision Council helps users create packing lists for upcoming trips. Simply enter the destination and travel dates, and a pre-installed, customizable list of necessary items is populated, including sunglasses. The app also provides users the UV levels (low or high) of their destination city. Big Digital Clock (Free). This helpful app displays the time using the largest display possible. Font, color, and background are all customizable to suit any preference or setting. Magnifier 3in1 ($0.99). This three-in-one app includes a magnifier, mirror, and flashlight, making it easy for users to read small print or in low-light settings. Auto-focus, enhanced freeze, crystal clear, and high contrast modes allow users to manipulate print for easy readability. |
■ LUMA Eye (Eyemaginations, Inc.): Free for all LUMA clients, LUMA Eye helps ECPs explain eye conditions and treatments and other complex topics to patients. The app's easy-to-follow videos, simulations, and closed captions make it a great addition for the reception area to engage and educate waiting patients.
■ Eye Handbook (Cloud Nine Development LLC): In collaboration with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Eye Handbook features patient education videos, e-books, flash cards, lectures, an eye atlas, EHB handbook, eye tests, and other helpful tools.
■ VisionSim (Evil Genius Technologies): This app by Braille Institute simulates the experience of degenerative eye diseases. Using touch-screen controls, ECPs can guide patients through simulations that replicate the symptoms of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts. It also provides basic information including symptoms, causes, and treatments.
■ EyeDecide (Orca Health): Named the best iPad/iPhone medical app in App Store Rewind 2011 by Apple, EyeDecide is divided into three sections—Anatomy, Condition, and Find a Specialist. The app uses medical images and annotations to explore the anatomy of the eye as well as a variety of eye conditions, including symptoms and findings plus treatment recommendations based on best practices. The Find a Specialist feature provides a directory of specialists in the user's area. Content can be streamed to a larger screen, helping to aid ECPs during patient consultations and teachers during lessons.
■ EyeCare—save your vision (XVision): Rated a Top 10 New & Noteworthy Medical App in the U.S. by Apple, this app is designed to prevent eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, eye fatigue, blurred vision, or loss of focus for technology users. Users can set reminders at customizable intervals to be notified when it is time to take a break from the screen. The program will continue to run in the background, and notifications can be terminated at any time with the click of a button.
LUMA Eye demonstrating lens options. Image courtesy of Eyemaginations, Inc.
■ EyeXam (Global EyeVentures, LLC): EyeXam tests visual acuity, color perception, and eye dominance, as well as for astigmatism. The free app also features an eye Anatomy & Conditions section and a Doctor Finder function with which users can locate eyecare professionals in their area. EB
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