SUNY Annual Report 2019

Two New Initiatives Could Expand the Way SUNY Optometry Delivers Eye Care

ICare Tonometer Provides Around the Clock Information Glaucoma patients need to monitor their eye pressure regularly. With the new ICare tonometers, patients can monitor their eye pressure at home helping to identify intraocular pressure spikes sooner. The tonometer also gathers additional information to be reviewed by the optometrist. At the UEC patients are shown how to use the device and then work with their doctor to monitor the results and develop a treatment plan.

The ability to meet with and diagnose patients using technology, instead of only face-to-face visits, holds untold possibilities. Piloting leading-edge diagnostic and treatment opportunities provides exceptional care to our patients, but also teaches students how the intersection of technology and optometry may change the future of their practice.

Telehealth Connects Patients and Providers

Spear-headed by Dr. Michael McGovern, chief medical officer, the College is piloting two telehealth initiatives testing the functionality, developing provider partnerships, and evaluating how these technologies integrate into the current health system. One allows primary care physicians to use a camera to take pictures of the retina and send the images to the University Eye Center, a designated reading center, to interpret and detect signs of diabetic eye disease. The second pilot is a telehealth portal that allows patients to visit with providers remotely or provider-to-provider consultations.

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