Taking a PEEK Into The Future of Eye Care - blog

Taking a PEEK Into The Future of Eye Care

Written by Yerrin Choi


Vision, arguably the most important out of the 5 senses which is why it’s important to get it regularly checked. To check your vision Optometrists and Ophthalmologists usually use an ophthalmoscope, a medical device used to
visualize the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels which are all in the back of the eye. 


However, in some low income areas around the world many are not fortunate enough to have access to eye care leading to many individuals living with visual impairment that could have easily been prevented. To combat this issue Dr. Andrew Bastawrous and software developer Stewart Johnson collaborated to create PEEK, The Portable Eye Examination Kit. 


PEEK is a mobile app and clip-on hardware that was made to be an alternative to the expensive ophthalmoscope. PEEK utilizes the smartphones’ camera and flash to carry out many different types of vision tests even in the most remote places in the world allowing doctors to provide eye care to everyone that needs it. 


PEEK produces high resolution images of the retina for clinical examination detecting signs of eye diseases, early diabetes, malaria, and various other diseases. While being cheap, PEEK is also very efficient as it can scan 1,000+ people per week. Non-healthcare professionals can also use PEEK with minimal training and send the scans to eye care specialists. 


Not only does PEEK allow for more accessible and affordable eye care but also works toward a future where no one has to live with a preventable vision impairment.



Works Cited

The Portable Eye Examination Kit - Retina Today. 

Medium - Eye Exams On-the-Go with PEEK - Innovate4Health.

iovs.arvojournals PEEK










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