The Operating Theatre Journal - Journal - Page 5
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QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY FIRST IN EYE DISEASE DETECTION
Scientists are working on a new device that could lead to a reduction in the number of people who go blind from age-related
macular degeneration (AMD).
In a world 昀椀rst, researchers at Centre for Eye and Vision Research
(CEVR) are using quantum technology to detect the disease in its early
stages where treatment may help preserve vision.
As part of a visit during the recent Hong Kong Laureate Forum,
young scientists from across the world learned how the new lowcost ophthalmic diagnostic device could be part of routine GP and
outpatient check-ups.
AMD which affects more than 200 million people worldwide, causes
changes to the macula, which can lead to problems with central,
detailed vision.
“Successful commercialisation of our research will have a signi昀椀cant
impact on improving vision-related healthcare,” said Dr Mukhit
Kulmaganbetov, postdoctoral fellow in Hong Kong-based CEVR.
“Eye health is often overlooked with people often only visiting an eyecare specialist after they develop visual symptoms or vision loss.
“In early stage of macular degeneration, patients may be asymptomatic;
AMD is often only diagnosed after partial or full loss of vision has
occurred.
“While current treatments can slow the progression of AMD, they
cannot restore vision loss experienced in the later symptomatic stage
of the disease.
“In healthy eyes, ‘structured’ light can be seen in the form of visual
effects caused by the interaction between polarised light and the
retina,” he added.
“The laser enables us to expand this phenomenon into a larger, more
visible pattern.
“Our initial 昀椀ndings show people with healthy eyes have no dif昀椀culty
in seeing this pattern, while eyes with AMD perceive them differently.
“The device will enable early preventive treatment of AMD before
irreversible vision loss occurs and help reduce the burden of agerelated vision loss.”
Mr Taranjit Singh, the research assistant working on the technical build
of the invention, says the device is aimed at the B2C, B2B and B2G
markets for use in major city centres to screen anyone over the age
of 40.
CEVR is one of 29 world-class InnoHK research centres under the Hong
Kong Government’s InnoHK Clusters initiative, which aims to generate
technologies to prevent vision loss in the aging population and preserve
healthy vision.
“Delivering a device that can be used as part of a routine check-up
will enable people to seek medical advice before any deterioration in
their sight.”
CEVR has teamed up with the Institute for Quantum Computing at the
University of Waterloo, in Canada, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic
University, to create a prototype of the Structured Light Observation,
Perception and Evaluation (SLOPE) device.
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Dr Kulmaganbetov says the device, the world’s 昀椀rst adoption of
quantum optics into vision sciences, will help 昀椀ll the gap for early
diagnosis/screening of AMD.
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Issue 400
January
in
2024
5
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