Neil Boehm is the chief technology officer for Gentex Corp., a technology company operating in the automotive, fire protection, aerospace and medical industries. Earlier this year, Gentex acquired eSight, manufacturer of the wearable assistive devices eSight 4, which was introduced to the US market in 2020, and eSight Go, which will be launched this year. Mr. Boehm has served in various roles since joining the company in 2001.
Ophthalmology Management: This year, Gentex will introduce eSight Go, a new addition to your wearable assistive device line. Can you tell us more about this?
Neil Boehm: eSight Go is a wearable assistive device that can help people with significant central vision loss and legal blindness achieve seven lines of distance visual acuity gains and six lines for near. The device features a small, high-speed, high-definition camera that captures everything the wearer is looking at, and advanced, clinically-validated algorithms that optimize the footage. It is then presented on two OLED monitors, one in front of each eye, in real time. The brain synthesizes the images, and the wearer sees with clarity what is in front of them.
eSight Go has a sleek design and has the appearance of sunglasses. It also has an ergonomic neck battery pack for hours of continuous use.
OM: How does this model differ from the eSight 4 device?
NB: eSight Go has had several key improvements over the eSight 4. Most notably, the new form factor is much more subtle in appearance, and it is much lighter at only 169 grams for the headset. The device design is also very intuitive and is easier to use. Technologically, eSight Go benefits from a wider field of view, excellent image stabilization, more accurate autofocus, improved camera and display technology, complemented with better and brighter screens. The software is simpler to navigate, and the device is easily controlled by tactile, intuitive buttons on the temple arm of the device.
OM: Who are the ideal candidates for the eSight 4 and eSight Go devices?
NB: The ideal candidate for both devices has central vision loss due to macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, diabetic retinopathy or other causes of retinal pathology resulting in loss of central vision. Peripheral vision needs to be preserved. The device is very effective when the visual acuity of the wearer lies between 20/80 to 20/600. Independent studies by six low-vision institutions demonstrated a 7-line gain in distance acuity, 12-letter contrast improvement, significant improvement in facial recognition and 100% mobility retention. Many of our users are able to read 20/20 with the technology.1,2
OM: How does your eSight TeleHealth remote learning and training program work for patients?
NB: Our TeleHealth program has been developed to optimize patient access to eSight — whether they are referred by an eye-care provider or if they choose to contact eSight by Gentex Corp. directly. The first step is to ensure the individual is a strong candidate. If they are, and they would like to evaluate the device, we will ship a unit to their home. Upon the unit’s delivery, the candidate is connected with one of our coaches. The coaches are not only experts on the use of the device, but they are also users themselves. As such, they can speak to their own experience in a variety of scenarios.
The candidate has a few virtual interactions with their coach to evaluate the device. This gives them an opportunity to evaluate the device in real-world situations, according to their preferences, with the guidance of an expert user. The process usually takes a week or so. At the end of the trial period, the candidate has the choice to purchase a device or return the unit without obligation.
Also, our website (www.esighteyewear.com), houses product information for both consumers and health-care professionals, a self-serve quiz to evaluate candidacy as well as many user stories and testimonials to provide experiences from different perspectives. Users can also participate in monthly webinars in which coaches discuss various topics relating to the use and optimization of the eSight device. OM
REFERENCES
1. Wittich W, Lorenzini MC, Markowitz SN, Tolentino M, Gartner SA, Goldstein JE, Dagnelie G. The effect of a head-mounted low vision device on visual function. Optom Vis Sci. 2018;95:774-784.
2. eSight. eSight User Guide 2021 – Directions for Use.
