Telemedicine offers a whole new way of providing care in many healthcare industries. It's already being used across multiple fields to provide virtual appointments to patients and better serve communities.

IbisVision has taken this one step further and developed a telemedicine solution for the optometry industry that allows for eye tests to be done virtually, saving any unnecessary trips to the optician if they're not required. Our solution offers an alternative to in-person appointments that is more than just a virtual chat but provides a way for tests to be done remotely over an online connection. This type of technology is revolutionising the way that the optometry industry operates and is driving innovation within the sector.

Now that telemedicine is becoming more available, why should it be implemented by optometrists and other eye care professionals?

Firstly, it can make access to care easier for many individuals. Not everyone can go to the opticians easily and this can be for several reasons. Having a virtual option means that eye care can be easily accessed by those who live in remote locations, elderly people who are unable to travel, those with medical conditions or even those who have busy schedules. As well as making it more accessible, it also frees up the time for optometrists in the practice to take on more patients who require in-person appointments.

Telemedicine can also act as a no-contact testing solution. With the growth of telehealth throughout the pandemic some businesses are still using it as an option to keep themselves and their patients feeling safe and comfortable. Many individuals are still not fully open to face-to-face appointments, and telemedicine allows them to still have their eyes tested and any conditions detected.

Telemedicine solutions are not here to completely replace existing processes, the benefits of these systems are that they are mostly flexible and can be used a part of a hybrid solution. It's up to the business and the optometrists to work out how they want it to fit in with how they already operate, and this is a real benefit for professionals. For example, IbisVision allows for the optometrist to see and speak to the patient before, during and after their eye test, keeping the connection going throughout the appointment.

New ways of working can benefit both professionals and patients and telehealth is definitely something that should be considered to improve processes. A hybrid model of practice can also be highly effective and no matter how you feel about telemedicine, it's important to be aware of of the advancements it is bringing within the industry; it's definitely not something to be ignored!

IbisVision provides innovative vision testing technology to the optical industry. Our telemedicine solution allows optometrists to test patients no matter where they are, and we also have other solutions on offer too. To find out more, get in touch here.