A woman holding a smartphone © CBM/U. Kleiner

Peek vision: An app for the eye

A smartphone equipped with an eye examination application is sufficient to facilitate eye tests for visually impaired people in underprivileged regions. This innovative technology enables expedited eye testing, resulting in timelier and more efficient treatment for more people experiencing visual impairments.

© CBM/Kleiner
Geoffrey vision acuity is tested using the Peek vision app

The innovative technology: the clinically certified eye test apps "Peek Acuity" and "Peek Capture" are associated with the patient flow database. With "Peek Capture", for example, people who test positive are informed by SMS of their examination results and reminded of appointments – so no patient is lost during follow-up examinations in the hospital.  Up-to-date evaluations show precisely where there is a lack in the process, for example. personnel or education. This allows CBM to adapt its help precisely.

Vision: Fighting preventable blindness

Peek Vision software and data intelligence platform makes eye health services more efficient, effective and equitable. Governments and international NGOs use Peek to strengthen health systems and connect more people to treatment centres and services.

The software was developed by the socially committed British company Peek Vision. Its founder, Dr Andrew Bastawrous, is an ophthalmologist and shares CBM's grand vision: to combat avoidable blindness in low-income countries finally effectively. 

Efficient cooperation between the eye app developer and CBM

Peek Vision and CBM are now pursuing this goal with groundbreaking collaboration. The British company contributes its technical know-how, and CBM is the first organisation in the world to use it in its projects.

Successful tests in pilot projects

© CBM/Kleiner

CBM has tested the apps with two pilot projects in Pakistan (Chakwal district – launch: October 2018) and Zimbabwe (in the cities of Harare and Bulawayo, in the provinces of Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland South and Midlands – launch: March 2019), where the need is particularly significant.

 

In Zimbabwe, approximately two million people are affected by visual impairment, with the majority lacking adequate support. Remarkably, over 90 per cent of these people could potentially benefit from available interventions. This situation contributes to an increase in poverty levels in a country where a significant portion of the population lives on less than 1.70 U.S. dollars per day.

Zimbabwe: Almost 30 per cent visually impaired or blind

The preliminary findings from Zimbabwe demonstrate the efficiency with which CBM can identify people with visual impairments using Peek technology. Comprehensive eye examination campaigns have been conducted across three provinces: Harare, Bulawayo, and Mashonaland West. The CBM teams have systematically assessed all children within educational institutions as well as all inhabitants of selected villages. To date, approximately 56,000 individuals have undergone examination.

The result of the tests: Almost 30 per cent of all women, men, and children reviewed have a visual impairment or are blind. They received help, usually even directly on site. If possible, the CBM teams immediately make a diagnosis and measure the eyes for glasses. This saves many patients the long way to the nearest clinic.

Fast and efficient help with Peek technology

The data indicates that the demand is great. However, advanced peek technology now enables us to identify millions of people with preventable visual impairments in low-income countries with remarkable speed, ease, and efficiency. In the long term, the eye test app "Peek Acuity" and the associated database "Peek Capture" will be used in all CBM-funded eye projects worldwide because there are still countless blind and visually impaired people waiting to be found. Peek technology is the perfect solution for a country like Zimbabwe – and our fight against avoidable blindness.

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