Nov 2017

eSight now in NZ
Eyewear technology company, eSight,
has launched its new generation
eSight 3 electronic autofocus wearable
magnifier in New Zealand and Australia. This
hands-free, low vision glasses technology
aims to help visually-impaired patients see
in much the same way as sighted people
do, allowing them to carry out everyday
activities.
In New Zealand, eSight’s September
launch was hosted by Low Vision Services
in Remuera, Auckland, the country’s first
‘eSight-authorised dispensing clinic’.
Low Vision Services’ optometrist Naomi
Meltzer says she contacted a number of
people from across New Zealand who had
expressed an interest in the technology on
eSight’s website, and to her surprise, seven
families flew in from across the country to
try eSight for themselves. Patients keen to
try eSight ranged from 5–77 years old and
suffered from a range of sight-effecting
conditions including albinism, ocular
hypoplasia and macular degeneration, said
Meltzer. “All demonstrated a huge, measurable
improvement in distance acuity with eSight and
all were able to read small print at near range.”
The glasses, which look like something from
Star Trek, feature a high-speed, high-resolution
camera, which captures what the user is looking
at in real time. The video is then fed through an
algorithm, which instantly processes the video,
enhances it and displays it on two, organic LED
screens positioned in front of the user’s eyes.
One young lady, Britnee (pictured) was
delighted with what she could see, said
Meltzer. “She had a beaming smile the whole
time.” Britnee later commentated that she felt
somewhat overwhelmed by the experience. “I
don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s very
cool.”
Another patient, Corran, a 13-year-old boy,
said distance was a lot better, though because
his eyes had to adapt they did get tired faster.
“It’s like a camera, on steroids.” While Neelu,
described by Meltzer as “a very active lady,
who loves running” commented, “Amazing.
Revolutionary. For someone who is just starting
the visually-impaired journey it would be
A delighted Britnee experiences the power of eSight, with her mother
Kelly and eSight president Rob Hilkes in Auckland
awesome. But for someone like me, who is used
to using peripheral vision, it makes me feel
uncomfortable.”
The eSight electronic, autofocus magnifier
device is suitable for those conditions with a
central field loss such as macular degeneration,
Stargardts, ocular albinism, nystagmus, optic
nerve hypoplasia, retinopathy of prematurity
and achromatopsia. Ideally the patient should
have reasonably intact peripheral vision, so
eSight is not as suitable for conditions such as
advanced glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa,
said Meltzer, adding it’s most suited for those
with vision from 6/24 to 6/240, with eSight
providing magnification up to 24 times with
autofocus from distance to near. The low vision
glasses can take photos, be custom fitted with
the patient’s distance prescription and function
independently of wifi, with a battery life of nine
hours.
Two people from the trial were so impressed
they ordered the new device straight away,
said Meltzer. “It is all very exciting and very
satisfying, but it has to be approached with
realistic expectations as it’s not going to be
the technology of choice for everyone. We are
so fortunate to have an ever-growing range
of options available for low vision patients;
anything that improves the life of a person with
low vision is a win!”
ESight glasses are being distributed in New
Zealand through Designs for Vision for a cost of
$17,600, plus an additional $300 for the eSight
frame with distance prescription lenses fitted. ▀
Friendship and inspiration
EDITORIAL
This month’s issue is packed full of inspiration
and friendship from the latest futuristic frames
featured at Silmo’s incredible 50th anniversary
event (p8-12) to Save Sight Society’s and NZAO’s
warm, but highly educational affairs.
Our roving optometry reporter, Ella Ewens, was
blown away by the stunning content at this year’s
Save Sight conference (p15), but was perplexed so
few optometrists attended. Perhaps many still see
this (incorrectly) as simply an ophthalmology event?
While the ever-positive Sam Simkin waxes lyrical
about the camaraderie evident at this year’s NZAO
conference (p6).
Susanne and I were lucky enough to attend the
ADONZ annual conference, which is always a blast,
both educationally and socially, but there wasn’t
enough space or time to fit it all in this month, so
you’ll have to wait for December for all the goings on
from Christchurch.
All these events are so looked forward to by industry
members, not just for their CPD points potential, but
because of the opportunity to step back, relax and
remind ourselves just what a fabulous industry with
fabulous people this is. So, it’s particularly fabulous,
that next year NZAO and ADONZ won’t be on the
same weekend!
If all this isn’t warm enough, check out what else is
new on the fashion side and how to encourage the cool
factor for kids on p16. Plus,
keeping that fabulously fuzzy
feeling to the end, we’ve got
all the ‘aloha’ from Maui Jim
on p17, while Chalkeyes lets
Mr Slack share his take on
worklife this month.
Enjoy. And thank you, oh
wonderful Christchurch eye
community for looking after
me so well.
Lesley Springall, editor, NZ Optics
Myopia course open in NZ
Yours truly cornering DO Craig
Robertson for a quick selfie at
ADONZ 2017
The Brien Holden Vision
Feedback from those who
Institute (BHVI) Academy’s
participated in the pilot and
‘Managing Myopia’ course for
first official course has been
eye care practitioners has now been
“overwhelmingly positive,” said
CPD-accredited for New Zealand
BHVI. “Eighty-six percent of
optometrists.
optometrists who completed the
Research has demonstrated that
online myopia management course
there are ways to delay the onset and
say they will change the way they
manage the progression of myopia,
manage myopia in their practice.”
BHVI’s new ‘Managing Myopia’ course is now
giving better visual outcomes for accredited for Kiwi optometrists
The online course is an engaging
children. However, a recent survey
and interactive learning experience,
found close to 70% of practitioners still use single
including 14 videos and eight interactive case studies,
vision lenses as their primary mode of correction for to be completed at your own pace, and an interactive
myopia. Responding to this, BHVI has created an online webinar, presented by senior research fellow Dr
Managing Myopia course for optometrists, compiling Monica Jong. All content is delivered online and can
evidence and guidelines for myopia management into be accessed using a desktop PC, tablet or mobile and
a concise, clinically-relevant education programme, said should take about four hours to complete.
BHVI. “The course aims to improve understanding of The next course begins on the 6 November, with the
myopia, help practitioners identify candidates at risk, webinar scheduled for the 21 November at 8.30 pm,
and empower them with the skills to better manage New Zealand time. For more and to enrol, please visit:
progressive myopia for patients.”
http://bit.ly/2xIq2hh ▀
Specialist insight.
Superior outlook.
For the specialist treatment of all eye conditions
our rooms provide generous consulting and
treatment space, state of the art technology,
an innovative layout to increase comfort and
plenty of free and easily available parking.
Most importantly, it also provides the home for a proudly local
team. As the number one South Island provider of specialist
ophthalmic care our surgeons are fellowship and New Zealand
trained sub-specialists. They are experts in their respective fields.
They are excited to be part of our new city, to be the care behind
the change, the insight behind the vision.
Dr James Borthwick
MB ChB, FRANZCO
Disease and surgery of the retina and macula, cataract
Dr Sean Every
MB ChB, MMedSci (Distinction), FRANZCO
Disease and surgery of the retina and macula, cataract
Dr Jo-Anne Pon
MB ChB, FRANZCO
Oculoplastics, cataract, neuro-ophthalmology,
strabismus, general ophthalmology
Dr John Rawstron
MB ChB, MPH, GDipM (Refract Surg), FRANZCO
Cataract, LASIK, corneal transplant
Dr Rebecca Stack
MB ChB (Distinction), MMedSci, FRANZCO
Cataract, oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon
Dr Allan Simpson
MB ChB, FRANZCO
Cataract, glaucoma
Dr Robert Weatherhead
MB ChB, FRCS, FRACS, FRANZCO
Oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon
Dr Logan Robinson
MB Chb, PG Dip Ophth BS (Distinction), FRANZCO
Vitreoretinal surgery, diseases of the retina
and macula, refractive cataract surgery
Centrally located, find us at 128 Kilmore Street, Christchurch ı P: 03 355 6397 ı W: www.southerneye.co.nz
November 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
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