A low-cost, solar-powered ophthalmoscope was developed at University of St. Andrews, Scotland, to help health workers in low-income countries detect signs of blindness.

Arclight can also serve as an otoscope to look into the ears and help prevent deafness.

The pocket-sized device was designed specifically as an easy-to-use tool for outreach or screening programs in low-income countries. A study led from the International Centre for Eye Health in London showed that it performs as well as traditional devices costing up to 100 times as much.Components of the pocket all-in-one ophthalmoscope-loupe-otoscope. Source: Arclight Medical

Using the Arclight an examiner can see the front and back of the eye, helping reveal all major blinding conditions such as trachoma, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes. It is ideal for students or any qualified health care worker in low or high resource health care settings.

Through collaboration with the Fred Hollows Foundation and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness, thousands of units have already been distributed to countries around the world, including Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Fiji, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, enabling healthcare workers to perform comprehensive eye and ear examinations for the first time.

The University of St Andrews has now established a spin-off company to promote sales of the device and coordinate the subsidized distribution to low-income countries.