New research in Nature Scientific Reports shows potential for breakthrough technology innovation in vision care

In research published this week in Nature Scientific Reports, authors demonstrate that dynamic retinal image analysis using wavefront aberrometry can dramatically improve the accuracy of autorefraction results to predict a vision correction prescription. 

In “Predicting subjective refraction with dynamic retinal image quality analysis”, engineers at PlenOptika report a novel algorithm that combines wavefront aberrometry with data from retinal imagery to predict subjective refraction through objective autorefraction measurements. The research shows that incorporating these advanced algorithms into portable wavefront autorefractors can improve the 0.25D agreement with subjective refraction by 15%. 

“We have demonstrated that dynamic retinal image analysis can improve the accuracy and precision of autorefraction results,” said Andrea Gil, PlenOptika’s Senior Algorithms Engineer and the lead author of the paper. “Devices equipped with this technology can select the objective measurements closest to the subjective refraction of the patient.” 

Subjective refraction, the clinical gold standard for a vision correction prescription, currently requires highly skilled practitioners who can navigate the complex and changing conditions that ultimately affect their patients’ vision. In addition to refractive error, physiological fluctuations, neural compensation, and other factors influence the final prescription. An autorefractor using dynamic wavefront aberrometry and these analytic techniques can produce more reliable results than the vast majority of autorefractors that rely on static measurements. 

“We’re excited about this advanced algorithmic approach, which will help us develop devices that more precisely predict optimal subjective refraction measurements,” said Eduardo Lage, PhD, PlenOptika cofounder and CTO. “Our R&D advances what technology can do to expand access to clear vision in both high- and low-resource settings.”  

PlenOptika CEO and cofounder Shivang Dave, PhD, said “Apart from helping hardworking eye care professionals give their patients a more convenient, delightful experience, we believe this can unlock solutions to the global burden of correctable vision impairment.” 

The research is available by open access at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07786-0

About PlenOptika

PlenOptika designs and produces tools to help vision professionals perform their best care anywhere. Inspired to solve the global burden of poor vision, we developed QuickSee™, the world’s most accurate handheld autorefractor. Vision professionals and NGOs have used QuickSee on over 3 million patients in more than 45 countries to transform their lives with clear vision.a