April 7, 2021
MacuLogix, Inc., a company that equips eyecare professionals with the instrument, tools and education needed to effectively diagnose and manage patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) announced its first major software upgrade for its AdaptDx Pro portable dark adaptometer.
Once the software is automatically downloaded and installed, the artificial intelligence-driven onboard technician, Theia, will provide patient instructions and user interfaces in multiple languages. The in-office technician can operate the device in one language, while selecting a different language for the patient to experience. Once the test starts, Theia takes over to facilitate a consistent testing experience using automated instructions and adaptive feedback spoken directly to the patient in their native language.
The language options for both the device interface and Theia include English, North American Spanish, European Spanish, French, Italian, German and Canadian French. Theia is also available with a British and Australian accent. “In order to adequately serve our diverse population, healthcare needs to be available and deliverable in languages native to our patients,” says Julie Rodman, OD, MSc, FAAO, professor of optometry, Nova Southeastern University. “With this update, your technician can operate the device in one language and set Theia to speak to the patient in another.”
“The ability to run a test coached by someone in their own language is huge,” says Claudio Lagunas, OD, of Lifetime Eyecare Associates. “Speaking in someone’s language opens the door for better communication, better understanding, and better trust.” AdaptDx Pro guided by Theia measures dark adaptation in a clinical setting quickly and effectively, using an objective, functional measurement called the Rod Intercept (RI). Impaired dark adaptation as measured by the AdaptDx Pro is 90 percent specific and sensitive to AMD, according to MacuLogix. As a self-contained wearable headset, the AdaptDx Pro requires no dark room or external computer.
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“It’s been rewarding to see our customers and their patients respond so well to Theia, after all the hard work that went into developing this adaptive artificial intelligence for our device,” says Gregory R. Jackson, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of MacuLogix. “Offering Theia in multiple languages seemed like the natural evolution for this technology.” Dr. Lagunas agrees, adding, “Lo más importante es que estoy emocionado de ofrecer ahora esta prueba a mis pacientes de habla hispana en su idioma nativo.”
