Posted by: Northwest Eye in Innovative Ophthalmic Technology on November 21, 2024
Congratulations to Dr. John Berestka and the Lightfield Medical team for their impressive performance at the 2024 Minnesota Cup! Dr. Berestka, a renowned corneal, glaucoma, cataract, and refractive surgeon at Northwest Eye, co-founded Lightfield Medical, which was awarded the Silver in the Life Sciences/Health IT division. This recognition highlights Lightfield Medical’s innovation in eye care: automating the examination of the eye’s front section to streamline clinical exams and make quality care more accessible.
Transforming Eye Exams: Dr. John Berestka’s Vision for Modernizing the Slit-Lamp Exam
Lightfield Medical was born from Dr. Berestka’s desire to make eye exams faster, more efficient, and more accessible. Inspired by his belief that traditional methods could be improved, he developed a device that automates capturing, documenting, and sharing eye exams. The need for such advancement is especially apparent in slit-lamp exams, a key part of assessing the eye’s anterior segment. This device can be operated by minimally trained technicians and has the potential to dramatically change the way eye care is delivered around the world.
The slit lamp, a mainstay of ophthalmology for over 75 years, has seen limited technological evolution. While it transitioned from an incandescent to an LED light source, its basic design remains largely unchanged. Conventional slit-lamp cameras, though helpful, are rarely used because they require an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or highly trained ophthalmic photographer to operate. Their use is often restricted to a small portion of the exam and can be hindered by challenging settings like lighting, aperture, resolution, and issues with glare.
Automated Slit-Lamp Exam: Revolutionizing Telemedicine and Expanding Global Eye Care Access
The Lightfield Medical device offers a breakthrough by allowing minimally trained technicians to capture high-quality images of the anterior segment without direct oversight by an eye specialist. Dr. Berestka presented this idea at the recent American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting in October, with two presentations: “Feasibility Assessment of an Automated Slit-Lamp Camera That Can Be Operated by a Minimally Trained Technician” and “What if Our Technicians Could Capture the Slit-Lamp Exam for Us?”
The potential for automation in slit-lamp exams could revolutionize eye care delivery by facilitating true telemedicine in ophthalmology. Similar to the impact of wide-field retinal imaging, automated slit-lamp capture could allow eye specialists to diagnose patients remotely, opening doors for underserved populations to receive the care they need. Such technology could bring eye exams to parts of the world with limited access to ophthalmologists, addressing the significant global demand for eye care services.
Meet the Lightfield Medical Team Behind the Award-Winning Ophthalmic Innovation
This award would not have been possible without a dedicated team. Alongside Dr. Berestka, Helen Kim and Matthew Berestka contributed to the Minnesota Cup honor, and Dr. Christopher Kruthoff, Mimi Outhenthepanya, Josh Schlueter, and Brandon Lu played vital roles in the Lightfield Medical study at Northwest Eye. Their work has not only got well-deserved recognition but also brought the industry one step closer to making high-quality eye exams accessible globally.
Lightfield Medical’s innovative approach, guided by Dr. Berestka’s leadership, has earned recognition as one of Minnesota’s top innovators. Their groundbreaking contributions to ophthalmology are enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of eye exams, advancing patient care to new heights. Interested in learning how these innovations could benefit your vision? Schedule an appointment today to explore personalized care options!
