Eliminating need to dilate

Faster technology to be able to screen for diabetic retinopathy is a requirement as the disease is becoming more prevalent. A new retinal imaging system has been confirmed to match or outperform fundus cameras in a recent clinical trial.

The DRIVE trial looked at 100 people with diabetes and examined the efficacy of the EasyScan (i-Optics). The performance of the system was assessed head-to-head with a fundus camera in the early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

It was shown that the non-mydriatic confocal SLO technology successfully scanned all 100 patients without pharmacological dilation. Additionally, a large portion of the study group could be imaged in under 3 minutes. The results of this trial will be featured in ARVO and will add to the results of an earlier trial of the system’s imaging performance.

One of the first doctors to use the system in the US Dr Steven Squillace gave his opinion on the system. "I've worked with SLO technology for retinal evaluation over 10 years ago as part of a group practice. We saw the benefit of undilated fundus images, but also the drawback… When I heard there was a smaller version being launched, I thought it could be what I needed."

Dr Squillace has used the technology on over 100 patients and now states that he uses it exclusively for routine check ups.

If you would like to read more about the EasyScan the full article can be found in the May print issue of OTEurope.