Visiomed begins clinical evaluation trials

Perth-based biomedical devices developer, Visiomed Group (ASX:VSG) and ophthalmic surgical laser group, CustomVis (AIM:CUS), also based in Perth, have begun a clinical evaluation trial on their ophthalmic imaging system, microEYE.

The portable camera system enables the front and back regions of the eye to be imaged using one device -- an advantage over current technology, which requires a number of devices to do this.

The microEYE has a fundus camera for looking at the back of the eye and a slit lamp to image the front of the eye. This imaging enables the diagnosis and monitoring of eye pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration, trachoma and cataracts, as well as the fitting of contact lenses.

The system also provides digital capture-storage-retrieval images enabling immediate diagnosis and continued monitoring.

"The microEYE extends from IP we have held for several years now," said Dr William Dolphin, CEO of Visiomed. "We initially produced a product called microDERM, for the diagnosis of skin cancer, which we recently sold to a German company, but we retained the rights to the intellectual property except for dermatological applications." Clinical evaluation of the microEYE will be undertaken over the next few months by between 20 to 25 optometrists and ophthalmologists based mainly in private clinics in Western Australia, with some in the US.

"The microEYE is aimed at optometrists and ophthalmologists," said Dunlop. "Our focus right now is progressing the clinical testing of the system, which will depend on the feedback we get from the optometrists and ophthalmologists."

According to the World Heath Organisation, more than 160 million people suffer from disabling visual problems worldwide, and this figure is expected to double by the year 2030. Early diagnosis and continued monitoring of eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy could prevent the onset of blindness in most cases.

"We have also had discussions with the WHO, they are very interested in our technology," said Dolphin. "Technology like microEYE has not previously been available at a low cost. We hope that the accessibility of the technology will help address the lack of eye examinations in people of a low socioeconomic status."