Blue Skies has funded a new piece of specialist equipment for the Orthoptic Department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, helping assess patients more quickly and comfortably.
The new Plusoptix A20 Binocular Autorefractor, funded at a cost of £7,110, can calculate whether a patient may need glasses in less than a second, without touching the patient and without the need for an initial optometrist assessment.
The technology will be particularly beneficial for children with learning disabilities and those who can be difficult to assess using traditional methods. By providing a fast and accurate indication of whether a patient may require glasses, the device will help staff make informed decisions about onward referrals and reduce the need for unnecessary hospital appointments.
The equipment will also support children identified through school screening programmes and other referrals, helping to streamline their journey through the Orthoptic Department while ensuring they receive the care they need.
Expected to benefit around 300 patients every year, the new device will enhance the experience of young patients and their families by making assessments quicker, simpler and less stressful.
This project is another fantastic example of how Blue Skies funding goes above and beyond NHS provision, helping to bring innovative technology and improved care to local patients.
