Editor’s Note:
Smart medicine is the future of medicine. The role of information technology, artificial intelligence and big data in healthcare is becoming more and more important, more people-oriented and more convenient. Covering all aspects of health, the series aims to showcase the capabilities of high technology, intelligent systems and invention.
Photographed by Jiang Xiaowei. Editor-in-Chief Sun Chao. Sun Chao subtitles.
New smart technologies are now being applied to provide lenses tailored to meet people’s more specific vision needs.
It helps overcome discomfort experienced by many people who use contact lenses that do not fit the shape or curvature of their eyeballs, or correct individual vision problems.
“You can choose from a range of ready-to-wear suits in various sizes, but you can also walk into a tailor and get a handcrafted suit that fits your body type perfectly,” says Dr. Yan from Shanghai Bright Eye Hospital.
“Today’s smart medicine also means personalised and tailored treatments and services for better outcomes. The eye is a very delicate organ, so tailor-made products can bring many benefits to people,” Yan said.
Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE
A smart medical system performs calculations to design a pair of orthokeratology lenses.
An improved lens technology was introduced to China late last year, and some eye hospitals are now offering fully digital services for devices such as orthokeratology lenses.
Orthokeratology is a common night vision correction and corneal refractive treatment. Popular with children and adults by temporarily reshaping the cornea to reduce refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
It’s a viable alternative to glasses, refractive surgery, or people who don’t like to wear contact lenses during the day.
“Usually, patients have their eyes checked at the hospital, and then the doctor chooses the lens style that’s right for them,” Yan said.
“The digital technology collects nearly 10,000 pieces of data about the patient’s eye, and the computer calculates the most appropriate lens design.
“The doctor then makes adjustments based on the patient’s request and other medical needs. The design is then sent to the manufacturer of the lens.”
Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE
Tailored Orthokeratology Lenses
“These lenses are made according to people’s own eye conditions, overcoming the discomfort of wearing strange objects,” she said. “For children, the benefits are even more pronounced.”
In addition to customizing lenses, smart technology helps make eye surgery safer and more accurate. A technique called iOCT or intraoperative optical coherence tomography, a non-invasive imaging modality, can be used in the operating room.
It provides real-time visualization of ocular structures during surgery and supports physician decision-making throughout the procedure.
“This is a big step forward,” said Dr. Wang Fang, director of Shanghai Bright Eye Hospital. “This tool can be called an ophthalmologist’s eye.”
“Before, during surgery, we didn’t know the condition of the patient’s eye without using imaging technology. Sometimes, the surgery itself can cause damage to the eye, and the doctor couldn’t adjust it in time during the surgery, as the human eye can’t see such a small size. problem,” she said.
“Such imaging tests will be performed in the outpatient department, as it is not possible to move patients out of the operating room for outdoor examinations.
“Patients sometimes have to undergo a second corrective surgery if we cannot identify the condition until the surgery is complete.
“Thanks to iOCT, we can now get a very clear picture of a patient’s eye condition during surgery by receiving real-time information. Doctors can make changes or fixes when the tool detects a problem, thereby avoiding surgical damage,” she said.
Therefore, iOCT can significantly influence surgical decision-making and lead to subsequent changes in surgical strategy.
“The system is a smart guide for surgeons.”
In addition to eye surgery, Wang said iOCT is also expected to be used in stem cell and gene therapy procedures involving the eye.
Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE
Surgeon checking imaging mode on screen during eye surgery.