New Zealand-based ODocs Eye Care develops tools to assist ophthalmologists. For the past six years, ODocs has worked with 3D printer and 3D scaling software company Ultimaker to develop an open source smartphone ophthalmoscope. The company has moved on to develop additional ophthalmoscopes, fundus cameras, and related equipment and accessories. In 2020 ODocs won starter funding to develop New Zealand’s first teleophthalmology platform.
We’ve written previously about smartphone devices and apps for eye care and examinations. We covered EyeQue’s Vision Monitoring Kit, Notal Vision’s ForeseeHome platform, and AEYE Health’s AI-driven retinal screening technology. ODoc Eye Care’s products are notable for their 3D printing manufacturing and for their affordability.
According to ODoc, 3D printing and assembling the open source ophthalmoscope takes less than three hours with the total cost less than US$20. In addition to the 3D printed retinal imaging adapter, the device requires a 20D condensing lens and nine nuts and bolts that are standard sizes and easily sourced. The company’s goal is to have a global impact by helping stave off preventable blindness with an affordable, easily assembled retinal image scanning device.
We’re enthusiastic about ODoc Eye Care’s applications of 3D printing, teleophthalmology, and open source platform distribution. It’s a company mission, to be sure, but it also demonstrates digital technology’s potential to improve healthcare worldwide.
