Powys Teaching Health Board and OKKO Health announce collaboration to support patients living with Macular Degeneration

Patients in Powys will soon have the opportunity to take part in a groundbreaking project that will enable patients with macular degeneration to self-monitor their sight on their own smartphones, between scheduled outpatient appointments.  Powys Teaching Health Board is excited to be working on an innovative collaboration with OKKO Health, a leader in eye health technology.

Amanda Edwards Assistant Director Innovation & Improvement said’ We are delighted to be working in collaboration with OKKO Health and implementing this app to explore the real-world benefits to patients and to our eye care service as a whole. We will be offering Powys patients attending our Wet AMD clinics in Llandrindod Wells and Brecon Hospitals the opportunity to use this new approach.”

The OKKO Health technology is a medical app, originally developed in South Wales, that can be downloaded onto the patient’s own smartphone.  The app contains simple puzzle games that are used weekly by patients to self-check their vision, while also offering patients the ability to self-track treatment, symptoms and receive educational content.

Macular-degeneration is a sight-threatening eye disease that affects central vision that can go through active periods of worsening.  Treatment is available for the activated form of the disease (‘wet AMD’) and catching re-activations early is important to maintain vision.  Therefore, patients with macular degeneration have to visit eye clinics for regular monitoring, whether that is with their opticians or in the local hospital. 

The opportunity to additionally monitor for disease reactivations at home is thought to increase patient confidence and safety and ultimately the goal is to deliver better vision outcomes for patients; since early detection of reactivation allows for patients to be fast-tracked for treatment.

Dr Stephanie Campbell, optometrist and founder of OKKO Health says, “We are proud to be working with such a committed and passionate team at PTHB, bringing this technology home to Wales and looking forward to delivering for the people living with macular degeneration in Powys”.

Patients, families or carers who would like more information about this app are asked to contact the Research, innovation & Improvement Team at PTHB by emailing bright.ideaspowys@wales.nhs.uk

Released: 30/08/2024