On the radar: Emerging technologies

Excerpted from page 56 of the Summer 2024 edition of AOA Focus 

Did you know the AOA leverages a team of member volunteers, known as the New Technology Committee, to identify, explore and share new technologies and care innovations impacting optometry? Committee Chair Annabelle Storch, O.D., shares five emerging areas of technology this committee is investigating and how they may affect optometric practice. 

Artificial intelligence (AI)  

Much of the current AI technology uses images from equipment that many doctors already have in their offices. The technology scans the images and notes areas of concern to allow for better monitoring of the condition. Particularly with diabetes, there are more screening tools that may be used outside of the provider’s office. These tools refer patients for further care if changes in the eye are noted. The committee is in support of making sure doctors of optometry are a part of that referral database. 

Office functioning and efficiency 

There are multiple AI systems that we have evaluated that act as scribes, specifically focusing on helping the doctor record exam findings and write out plans for patients. Also, there are tools to help communicate with patients in triaging messages, scheduling patients and monitoring patient compliance with treatment plans. Finally, the committee is monitoring technology that promotes connection among the patient’s care team. Specifically, the goal is connecting and allowing easier communication among different medical record systems. 

Contact lens technologies 

Currently, contact lens technologies are being studied to help monitor different disease markers, e.g., intraocular pressure in glaucoma care. There is also work on contact lenses that provide treatment, including delivering medications; new designs for multifocals aimed at providing better vision; and designs for contacts used in myopia control and management. 

Pharmaceutical developments 

The committee is monitoring different drops that generally act on the inflammation cascade in different ways to treat different conditions, from dry eye to allergic conjunctivitis, corneal neuropathic pain and uveitis. When appropriate, the committee wants to make sure doctors of optometry are aware of these medications and that there are no barriers to prescribing. 

Surgical procedures and components 

There are new intraocular lenses being studied and used with cataract surgery that are important to know about as a resource to our patients, and that may impact prescribing refractive corrections. There is ongoing research on changing how corneal endothelial cells can be replaced, so that in the future patients may have alternatives to partial corneal transplant. Finally, new technology is emerging related to glaucoma care, including laser treatment. This particularly affects optometry as it relates to state scope of practice.