PediaVision, inventor of a new breakthrough vision screening device called Spot, has chosen MackMedical as its manufacturing partner. Geared toward children, the patent-pending technology can assess a child’s vision quickly, accurately and objectively, eliminating the subjective analysis that results from many of today’s vision screening tools.
The wireless, handheld, screen-anywhere device makes vision screening as easy as taking a photo, which is particularly important for toddlers and young children. Similar to a point-and-shoot camera, Spot captures results in less than one second, making it equally efficient for use in a physician’s office or at a public screening. For example, a typical school can be screened in one day, dramatically lowering the cost to screen students.
First School Screening in Vermont
PediaVision and Mack teamed up to take the new device to Fisher Elementary School in Arlington, Vt., home of Mack’s headquarters plant. “It was so amazing!” said school nurse Amy Goodfellow, who has done many screenings over the years. “It would normally take me at least 10 minutes per student for a vision screening; but with Spot, it literally took 10 seconds per child.” There are 160 students at Fisher Elementary, ranging in school age from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and the entire screening took less than two hours. “It would normally take days, even weeks,” said Goodfellow.
Speed wasn’t the only attribute that appealed to Goodfellow. “My favorite thing about Spot was being able to screen students I hadn’t been able to screen in the past using the eye chart,” said Goodfellow. “This was perfect. It was not subjective. It was scientific, providing an accurate measurement of each student’s eyes.”
A five-inch touchscreen clearly displays results in an instant, immediately followed by a printed report that graphs where key measurements fall within an industry-defined standard. Spot screens for several common vision issues, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, blurred vision, unequal refractive power, structural abnormalities and unequal pupil size. When the screening is completed, the resulting report indicates whether all measurements are in range or a complete eye exam is recommended.
Made in the USA
PediaVision wanted Spot to be designed and manufactured in the U.S., according to PediaVision President & CEO David Melnik. “I liked the notion of manufacturing at home rather than going overseas. Mack provides the high quality, knowledge and experience we were looking for, plus they got it – they saw the value of our product and got legitimately excited about wanting to be a part of it. That was really important to us,” adds Melnik.
Mack wrote and executed the validation process for manufacturing Spot. The company molds four unique parts from three tools for the exterior skins, and machines the lens holder from aluminum. Additionally, Mack manages a supply base of 35 vendors for 65 unique parts, and totally assembles the product. After performing 14 functional tests, Mack ships the product directly to PediaVision’s customers.
Contact: Scott Rishell, Mack Program Manager
scott.rishell@mack.com
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