While the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly caused challenges in clinical research, it has also presented the opportunity to introduce new virtual technologies to advance our capabilities and optimize the patient experience. Dr. Mark B. Abelson, founder of Ora, is currently sponsoring an ongoing multi-center, double-masked, randomized Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) study NCT04296864* and recently completed the first ‘virtual visit’ of the trial, which included utilization of Ora’s proprietary smartphone device. The patient was able to capture high-resolution images of each eye which were then sent to be reviewed by the investigator in real-time. The patient gave positive feedback stating the device was easy to use, and the quality of the photos enabled the investigator to assess the patient’s relative ocular health remotely. The successful execution of this virtual visit demonstrates that Ora’s EyeCup device will be instrumental in piloting future virtual visits for ocular surface disease trials.
*Funded by a grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
