QuickSee Free: Frequently Asked Questions

The field of view (width x height) of the spot diagram is 6.66×5.33 mm, while that of the pupil image is 4.16×4.16 mm.

QuickSee Free is an open-view autorefractor. The open-view optical system allows the patient to look through the device at a distant target, which helps reduce their accommodation and ensure more accurate measurements.

It is highly recommended  that the visual target be illuminated or brightly colored, so that the patient can easily focus on it instead of the internal red dot (the red dot is illumination for the wavefront aberrometry measurement). It is highly recommended to avoid the distant visual target being a white wall or a large monochromatic object. The best distant visual targets are textured, brightly colored, multicolored, and/or illuminated and draw the attention of the patient.

During the measurement, it is highly recommended to ask the patient to describe the distant visual target so that you can ensure they are not accommodating (accommodation would over minus the autorefraction results). Avoid asking simple “yes / no” questions such as “do you see the distant visual target?”, as the patient may say “yes” while actually looking at the internal red dot. It is best to ask questions that you can verify such as “what color is the distant visual target?” or “how many books are there on the bookshelf?”

If the patient is myopic, then they may not be able to view a distant target, in which case it is  likely they will accommodate on the internal red dot, which would result in an over minused autorefraction results. For such patients, ask them to describe what colors they see when looking at the distant visual target.

Subjective refraction measurements are adapted for the equivalent of 1/distance for spherical error. At 3 meters (1/3) the difference is 0.333 diopters, and at 4 meters (¼) the difference is 0.25 diopters.  For optimal results, we recommend at least 4 meters of distance between the patient’s eye and the visual target. 

Yes. QuickSee Free and QuickSee Free Pro can be used while plugged into a wall.

Replacement paper for the portable Bluetooth printer can be found on Amazon.com by searching for “portable receipt printer thermal paper” with the correct dimensions, which are 57 mm diameter (2.25 inches) and max roll diameter of 40 mm (1.5 inches).

It is important that the operator instruct the patient to blink 2-3 times during the 10 second measurement. Ideally, the patient will blink at the beginning, middle, and end of the 10 second measurement. 

Blinking helps the patient relax, reduce their accommodation, and refresh their tear film. The tear film is an important contributor to the eye’s refractive power.

Yes, both devices, QuickSee and QuickSee Free, can be used with dilated pupils. QuickSee was evaluated in a clinical study on children with and without cycloplegia, which also dilates the pupils. In fact, the bigger the pupil the better the measurements, since more data is collected from the eye. This is why we occlude  the contralateral eye but require it to remain open during measurements with QuickSee Free. When dilated, the operator may want to pay attention to ensuring the device is aligned to the center of the pupil.

The measurements can be taken with pupils in the range of 2-8 mm, but can also likely be used on pupils as small as 1.5 mm with a smaller measurement range. QuickSee Free uses a pupil camera to make the alignment process much easier. Our algorithms ensure that we collect sufficient quality data before providing an autorefraction result. If an autorefraction result is given by the device, then it means our algorithms have determined that the pupil size was big enough and enough wavefront data was collected from the eye to provide an accurate result. If the pupil size is too small, we recommend that you take the measurement using the eyecup and/or in a darkened environment, and also to use the occluder to also assist in creating passive dilation (see occluder FAQ).

If the cataract is small, QuickSee Free should be able to measure the refractive errors accurately. The presence of mature cataracts may affect the results, so the refractive error estimate is contraindicated in this case. If the cataract blocks too much of the signal (see the spot diagram as this will show the effect of opacity) then it is likely QuickSee Free will not be able to measure the refractive errors.

For instance, if <50% of the spots are blocked, then it is likely QuickSee Free will be able to take a measurement. We have not completed a clinical study specifically measuring patients with various grades of cataract (mild to advanced), so we cannot provide information about QuickSee Free measurement performance for different grades of cataracts. A trained professional can view the spot diagram and may be able to determine if an opacity is present and that the patient should undergo further evaluation. The device will not output any message or diagnosis regarding this. It is the responsibility of the user of the device to determine if further evaluation is required.

Use of the fogging lenses is optional and at the discretion of the operator (or health professional). The fogging lenses can be added to ensure the patient is fogged (to reduce their accommodation) during the measurement. This may be particularly useful for children (who have strong accommodation) and hyperopes (for whom the open-view system may not fully relax their accommodation). 

Please refer to the following scientific paper, Principles and Technique of Fogging During Subjective Refraction; Mutali J. Musa; Marco Zeppieri.

Some clinicians and researchers have advised to use the standard 2D fogging lens to relax the patient’s accommodation to obtain a result similar to that achieved by cycloplegia* and use the 4D fogging lens to check if additional tonic accommodation (in high hyperopes and children) is present.

Fogging is a standard feature in closed-view desktop autorefractors, and is used because desktop autorefractors tend to over-minus the patient’s autorefraction results (due to instrument-induced myopia).

Fogging of a patient can also be achieved through the use of cycloplegia, however, it is associated with patient discomfort, additional cost and time, and risk of increased intraocular pressure or other potential side effects. 

In most countries in Europe, optometrists are forbidden from using cycloplegic agents, as they can only be administered by an ophthalmologist.

*citation: Keiros et al, Effect of fogging lenses and Cycloplegia on open-field automatic refraction , “Ophthalmic and Physiol Optics”. 2008,28(4):387-92

When turning on the printer, make sure to hold the power button for 3 seconds until the printer makes a sound and the paper auto-advances and the blue LEDs stay lit.

If the printer still does not seem to turn on or gives an error, then manually pull the paper out of the paper feeder slot to unjam it.

It is highly recommended to use the occluder while performing a QuickSee Free measurement in order to ensure that ambient light does not cause both pupils (including the measured eye) to constrict. The passive dilation effect will also help ensure the pupils are large. 

Ensure that the patient keeps both eyes open (including the occluded eye) during the measurement to avoid a squint reflex which will partially cover the measured eye and make alignment and measurements more difficult.

Without the occluder, the patient’s pupils may constrict due to ambient light, making measurement more difficult.

The eyecup does not need to be used all the time although we highly recommend its use for every measurement so that stray light does not cause the measured eye’s pupil to constrict (which would make the measurement alignment more difficult). 

If multiple people operate the device and do not standardize on the use of the eyecup and occluder, there is potential that they will obtain different autorefraction measurements for the same patient because the patient may squint due to stray light.

QuickSee Free and QuickSee Free Pro use sophisticated algorithms to perform the wavefront aberrometry and keratometry measurements, and are set to a certain vertex distance (12 mm). It is recommended that measurements be performed when the device is properly aligned and at the proper vertex distance. Typically, you are at the proper vertex distance when the device is properly positioned on the patient’s face so that the eyecup is depressed and the two posts of the device are touching the patient’s face.

QuickSee Free and QuickSee Free Pro provide objective measurements (without the patient’s feedback) of the refractive power of their eyes. The objective measurements can be affected by factors including poor positioning and alignment of the device, incorrect vertex distance, patient accommodating because he/she is not looking at the distant target, etc.

Subjective refraction, the clinical gold standard for eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions, is a process carried out by an eye care professional wherein different combinations of lenses are placed in front of the patient’s eyes in order to improve visual acuity while taking into account the patient’s preference for the different combinations of lenses. For instance, a certain combination of lenses may optimize the patient’s visual acuity, but may cause strain on their eyes or make them feel uncomfortable,which is related to how their visual cortex in their brain processes visual information. During subjective refraction, the eye care professional may take into account the difference in refractive power between the two eyes to modify the prescription (balancing), or may take into account the patient’s eyeglass (or contact lens) prescription history to under or over-correct a refractive error—e.g., astigmatism correction is often under-corrected for patients’ who have never had vision correction.

Objective and subjective refraction are performed differently and take into account different parameters.

Published, peer-reviewed, scientific and clinical articles demonstrating QuickSee and QuickSee Free’s strong agreement with subjective refraction are available in the Publications section of our website. It is not expected that QuickSee Free or QuickSee Free Pro will match the subjective refraction of all patients due to the examples mentioned above.

The battery specifications are:

  • 6 hours continuous use (+/- 1 hour) (10,000 Mah Li-ion)
  • 3 hours charge time (5% to 75%)
  • 5 hours charge time (0 to 100%
  • IEC 62133-2:2017 certified

In the case that the battery needs to be replaced the device will have to be returned to an authorized distributor and/or to PlenOptika.

The more data QuickSee Free collects, the better the measurement accuracy. A 10 second measurement will be slightly more accurate than a 5 second measurement.

If it is too difficult to keep QuickSee Free aligned to the patient’s eye for 10 seconds, then try to maintain alignment for as long as possible. 

If an autorefraction result measurement is given by the device, then it means it has already been determined by our algorithms to have determined that the pupil size was big enough and enough wavefront data was collected from the eye to provide an accurate result. 

A 5 second measurement mode (“screening mode”) can be used when a faster throughput is desired, for instance, in school vision screening scenarios. To enable 5 second measurement mode (“screening mode”), from the pull-up menu, select System Settings / Acquisition Time / 5 seconds.

QuickSee Free and its accessories have been designed considering cybersecurity risks, providing protection against unauthorized access, and are inherently safe.

Follow these recommendations for enhanced protection:

  • Keep QuickSee Free within your physical control.
  • QuickSee Free has been designed to connect only to other devices using PlenOptika proprietary software (i.e., QuickSee Free Companion App). Do not try to connect QuickSee Free to other devices through unauthorized third-party software.
  • Keep QuickSee Free software updated as software updates may include security updates for new cybersecurity risks

To obtain measurements in children we recommend the following:

  • Measurements may be performed on children that are at least 3 years old. They need to be able to follow instructions and keep their focus on the distant target (and to not look at the red dot) during the measurement.
  • We recommend using a colorful, bright and/or illuminated visual target (for example, something that is engaging or maybe has animals or hidden figures in it) for the child to look at through the device.
  • During the measurement ask the child to describe the visual target (or to count the animals, or find the hidden figures, etc.) during the measurement, which will help them keep their focus on the fixed distant point and will thus reduce accommodation.
  • At the preference of the operator, the fogging lenses can be used on hyperopic children, such as latent hyperopes (see section on Fogging Lenses).
  • We also recommend that the operator use his/her free hand to hold the child’s head steady as children may tend to move more than adults during the measurement.

QuickSee Free can be used during mydriasis (pupil dilation). When the pupil is fully dilated, it is important to ensure that the device is aligned to the center of the patient’s pupil.

To avoid using mydriasis, also see the section on the Occluder and Eyecup.

Please refer to the scientific paper, Principles and Technique of Fogging During Subjective Refraction; Mutali J. Musa; Marco Zeppieri.

We advise cleaning the eyecup and the tips of the two posts that contact the patient’s face with an alcohol wipe (e.g., cleaning alcohol, diluted isopropyl alcohol) after each patient.

The optics of QuickSee Free and QuickSee Free Pro were specifically designed to not require calibration in the field (they are calibration free). This feature was specifically designed and validated in tough global health environments around the world. Each device goes through a rigorous quality control protocol during production in our CE Mark-audited factory with specific and sensitive testing equipment in a multi-step process. As field calibration is not required, we do not provide model (or test) eyes.

Model (or test) eyes from other instruments, which use different optical measurements techniques (such as rotary prism technology) will not be optimized for our optical measurement technique (wavefront aberrometry).

If you want to compare 2 different keratometers, do the comparison in millimeters.

If they do ask about the keratometry in diopters, and then you have to explain that the K-indexes are different.

This feature may be useful for government tenders.

  • Will we be the only device with this capability? At the device level, yes. I have seen some online tools that allow you to modify this index, but you must provide the keratometry results obtained from any device, always in mm. (Example: https://zcalc.meditec.zeiss.com/)
  • What is the value proposition? Why would someone want to change the keratometry refractive index value? It would be useful to modify it if you want to measure a patient with more than one device and compare the results in diopters. This comparison can only be made if the index is the same on both devices.

Keratometry index overview

In clinical practice, the process of converting the corneal front surface radius (Ra) into corneal power (CP) relies on a keratometer index known as nK, which serves as a predefined parameter or calibration value. This index is typically hardcoded in many keratometers and topographers, preventing users from adjusting it.

The accuracy of the calculated corneal power significantly hinges on the specific keratometry index employed, thereby influencing diagnostic and treatment outcomes. These indices are not interchangeable due to their potential to yield varying corneal power values, with differences of up to 1.3 diopters reported. Manufacturers individually calibrate their devices using distinct indices tailored to their proprietary models and measurement methodologies.

Selecting the appropriate keratometry index and comprehending its application are paramount in achieving precise and dependable measurements in clinical keratometry. Furthermore, ensuring compatibility when comparing data across different devices or studies necessitates familiarity with and adjustment of the keratometry index.

In our case, QuickSee Free Pro defaults to the Javal keratometry index (1.3375), which refers to the posterior corneal vertex power according to Gullstrand’s schematic eye model. It is widely used in clinical practice and the ophthalmic industry, generally resulting in higher corneal power values compared to other indices.

If the user wishes to modify this index, our device offers the following options:

  • Keratron Index (1.3315): Used by Keratron devices, this index may result in lower corneal power values compared to the Javal index and is specific for certain advanced clinical analyses. It is also based on Gullstrand’s schematic eye model.
  • Zeiss Index (1.332): Refers to the anterior corneal vertex power based on Gullstrand’s schematic eye model. It is used in some devices such as Zeiss, Gambs, and Topcon. It can lead to lower corneal power values compared to the Javal index.
  • Gullstrand Index (1.336): Refers to the refractive index of aqueous based on Gullstrand’s schematic eye model. This index is employed in some optical calculations and can be found in certain devices (American Optical, Haag-Streit). It provides an intermediate value compared to other indices.
  • Nidek or Hoya Index (1.338): Used in Nidek and Hoya keratometers and topographers, this index may result in slightly higher corneal power values and is specific to their measurement devices.

These indices are based on established theoretical models and research studies rather than being directly associated with commercial brand names. Understanding the nuances of each index is essential for making informed decisions in clinical settings.

References:

Do the results vary significantly when the indices change in very small amounts (1.3315, 1.332, and 1.336)? The variation of up to 1.3 D is calculated by seeing the difference between converting from mm to D using the lowest index (1.3315) and the highest (1.338) among those we offer. Assuming we obtained a Kmean of 7 mm, and we want to convert it to D, if we use the index of 1.3315, we get a result of 47.36D, while if we use 1.338, we get 48.29D. The difference between the two is 0.93 in this case, but as the Kmean in mm decreases, this difference increases, and vice versa, if the Kmean were higher, the difference would decrease. The difference is due solely to the index.

Why do we use Javal’s index? Because it is the standard and, as I mentioned in my previous email, it is widely used in clinical practice and the ophthalmic industry.

Boundary-defying vision care
Boundary-defying vision care

QuickSee Free Pro flew on the history-making Polaris Dawn mission to measure changes in the astronauts’ vision