Phase imaging company, Iatia Limited (ASX:IAT) has successfully completed proof of concept work for its technology s suitability to next generation lensmeters.

Lensmeters are commonly used by ophthalmologists and optometrists to check prescription lenses. Most lensmeters, however, only perform spot checks usually at one or two points on the lens. The advent of complex multifocal lenses and inconsistencies in consumer lens manufacture has generated the need for a better lensmeter.

Profiling an entire lens, especially a multifocal lens, poses a number of challenges both in terms of technical and commercial viability.

Iatia's Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) technology has shown the potential to meet these technical challenges by characterising the entire lens in a single image, as software and not a hardware solution it is also far more commercially viable.

This work has been completed at the request of international ophthalmology and optometry equipment manufacturers. With proof of concept for the QPI based lensmeter completed Iatia is engaged in discussions with potential industry partners who are looking at potentially developing a new lensmeter incorporating QPI.

Charles Laycock, CEO, stated, "This is a very promising market for us as every ophthalmologist and optometrist uses lensmeters and there is an obvious demand for a better and more accurate product.

"More importantly the proof of concept work done to date has opened the door to the larger ophthalmology market and has helped us establish relationships in the industry.

"We are now initiating discussions on other QPI based products for this market," added Mr Laycock.

The following diagram shows how QPI has characterised the entire lens in a single image.

The top image shows a prescription multifocal lens profile as captured by Iatia's QPI technology.

By comparison, conventional lensmeters only profile lenses at two points for multifocal lenses, as indicated by circles in the diagram. This provides an incomplete profile of the lens and does not reveal optical errors across the lens, which is a major issue with the prescription eyewear industry.