EyeNetra has created a device called the Netra-G.With it you can do your own eye test to determine if you are farsighted, nearsighted, have astigmatism, suffer from age-related eye blurring or other common problem that can be corrected by lenses. Netra-G provides a technology that is equivalent to what today’s optometrists do with autorefractors that cost from $5,000 to $45,000 U.S.

Netra-G measures the OD, OS, SPH, CYL, Axis, and distance between the eyes. If you are unfamiliar with any of these terms here is quick reference:

• OD, it stands for right eye or oculus dexter.
• OS stands for left eye or oculus sinister.
• SPH is short for Sphere which measures lens power in units called diopters. A minus diopter value means you are nearsighted. A plus value means you are farsighted.
• CYL and Axis measure lens requirements to correct astigmatism.

Netra-G looks like a cheap binocular that you attach to your smartphone. When combined with the accompanying app it gives consumers the means to do an instant eye exam which they can then bring to an eye doctor to get confirmation. Technology like this is bound to be disruptive to the $75 billion a year industry.

Netra-G is one product in a growing list of technologies that empower smartphone users to do self diagnosis. Others include Cellscope Oto (TM) (inner ear imaging), AliveCor (electrocardiogram), Quanttus (heart rate and blood pressure), Scanadu Scout (temperature, heart rate and blood oxygen levels) and iBGTStar (blood glucose).

For emergency first responders, physicians in rural locales, health clinics in the Developing World, and general practitioners working in private practice, the MobiUS SP1 is a godsend. The device is priced not including the smartphone at $7,495 US. It consists of a wand and touch screen with image resolutions of 480 x 480. Weight is about 330 grams (11.6 ounces). The device can store still and cine images with storage from 8 to 32 Gigabytes. Extended battery allows up to 6.6 hours of scan time. The device is compatible with Windows 7, XP and Vista (sorry Apple users).

The device allows the operator to select from 9 different scan types including a general quick scan (see the panel image on the left below).  Images can be adjusted to increase contrast. Operators can make notations and measurements, and personal patient information can be entered using the touch screen keyboard. The technology is very similar to ultrasound equipment used in hospital settings so the learning curve for a field operator is quick.

When JPEG or Cine images are attached to an email the content is encrypted to ensure that the transmission meets with all patient privacy requirements. The device has received FDA approval for general field use. For more information check out the product brochure.