Hospital first for eye patient self-testing

A way for eye patients to assess their own sight has been introduced at a hospital after a test was developed during the Covid pandemic.

The system, created by Cambridge University Hospitals' consultant paediatric ophthalmologist, Dr Louise Allen, is now being used at Addenbrooke's Hospital in the city and is a first for the UK.

It allows eye patients to check their sight in a kiosk, synced to their smartphones, and is similar to tests used by opticians.

The results are then discussed with the patient during their appointment.

The NHS trust said the new system would save time as it can be done before appointments, while patients are in the waiting room.

However, traditional testing by a nurse is still available for those who would prefer that.

The DigiVis DVA is a web application run on a tablet so can be used anywhere, the trust said.

Patients start the test by pairing their smartphone with the tablet over Wi-Fi, without having to download anything on their device.

Standing or sitting two metres away from the display screen, patients follow simple instructions and voice prompts to guide them through the test.

The kiosk screen displays a line of letters similar to those on a traditional eye test chart, with one highlighted for the patient to match from a selection on their smartphone.

The application automatically changes the letter size displayed.

An algorithm directs the test and calculates the smallest letter consistently recognised - an important measure of eye health called distance visual acuity (DVA).

The test was first used by the trust during the Covid pandemic and has since been trialled over four years, with the commercial version now being used by other NHS trusts.

Dr Allen likened the DigiVis DVA test to scanning your own shopping at the supermarket.

She said while it might seem awkward at first, people soon get used to it.

"Trying the test in clinic gives patients the confidence to do it at home before a remote consultation," she said.

"Patients suitable for this service won't need to travel to hospital so regularly [and] this is particularly important for those in rural locations without transport, and those who find attending a clinic stressful.

"In future, we hope DigiVis DVA can be used for vision screening and home monitoring for all ages and in multiple areas of our communities to ensure early detection of treatable eye problems."

The testing system was developed with support from the Medical Research Council, Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust and Cambridge University Hospital Partners, and a National Institute for Health and Care Research Invention for Innovation grant.

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