BOSTON, March 13, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- New England College of Optometry, NECO, is
committed to investigating, testing, and utilizing new technologies
as they develop throughout our College and Clinics. In working to
further provide access for individuals with vision impairment, we
are pleased to announce that NECO and the NECO Center for Eye Care
are now providing Aira Access to patients and visitors for instant
access to visual information. NECO will serve as the first
optometry college and clinic in the
United States to provide Aira service for free, on-demand
visual assistance.
Aira is a service created by a San
Diego start-up that connects an Explorer, an individual who
is blind or has low vision, with a certified, sighted Aria Agent to
receive real-time descriptions of visual information through the
use of a smart phone or wearable technology. Aira blends Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and augmented reality to provide remote access
(RA) to individuals who are blind or low vision, creating Artifical
Intelligence Remote Access (Aira). An Explorer connects to a
trained Agent or AI voice assistant "Chloe" by pushing a button on
the Aira App and using a live camera stream or Aira's Horizon smart
glasses. The Agent or AI assistant can augment the camera stream
with maps, GPS, and information from the web to provide a deeper
level of assistance. This real-time communication and access to
information helps Explorers navigate locations, complete tasks, and
enhance their experience by delivering visual information on
demand.
The area of low vision is one in which entrepreneurs and
innovators have been aggressively pursuing new technologies to
remove barriers and improve access. At The Janet LaBreck Center for
Low Vision at the NECO Center for Eye Care, doctors work closely
with patients with visual impairment to maximize function at home,
work, and in everyday life. By providing the Aira service to our
patients and visitors, NECO is working to maximize the experience
of access and function at our college and clinic.
Nicole Ross, OD, MSc, FAAO,
Associate Professor and Attending Optometrist at NECO Center for
Eye Care, explains, "Aira is an innovative approach to way finding
and creating accessible spaces in our community. We look forward to
the opportunity to explore how Aira can enhance a patient's quality
of life and their patient care experience at the clinic." Upon
entering the College or Clinic, those with the app receive a
notification that the location is Aira enabled and can connect to
an Agent. Agents can assist patients at the NECO Center for Eye
Care with tasks such as wayfinding, filling out forms, and
selecting frames while helping to increase mobility and
independence.
New England College of Optometry
remains committed to continuously working on improved access to
services while optimizing the experience for individuals who are
blind and visually impaired. Visitors and patients at the College
and clinic who have the app will be able to access the service for
no charge while visiting our campus and clinics.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF
OPTOMETRY
New England College of Optometry, NECO,
is an independent graduate college of optometry that educates
students for careers in eye care delivery, research and education.
The oldest continuously operating school of optometry in the
country, NECO currently enrolls over 500 students in its four-year
Doctor of Optometry, Accelerated Optometric Degree Program,
international, and graduate programs. Originally founded in 1894 as
the Klein School of Optics, NECO prepares the next generation of
eye care providers, educators, leaders, and innovators through a
rigorous curriculum and extensive clinical experiences.
NECO's location in the heart of Boston's medical community, combined with the
most expansive clinical network of any optometry school in the
country, creates the optimum environment for educating students as
members of patient-centered healthcare teams. For more information,
please visit the college website at http://www.neco.edu.
ABOUT NECO CENTER FOR EYE CARE
The New England College of Optometry
(NECO) Center for Eye Care is the clinical affiliate of new
includes two comprehensive vision centers that clinical affiliates
of New England College of Optometry.
The two centers, at Commonwealth Ave and Roslindale, provide comprehensive center for
eye and vision care services to individuals at all stages of life.
As an academic vision center, our skilled doctors work alongside
optometric students to provide world-class eye care within a
state-of-the-art environment. The NECO Center for Eye Care seeks to
always protect, preserve, and maximize vision and eye health
through expertise and compassionate care. Services include primary
eye care, cornea and contact lenses, vision therapy, pediatric eye
care, low vision rehabilitation, and a myopia control clinic.
ABOUT AIRA
Aira is a service that uses artificial intelligence and augmented
reality to connect people to highly trained, remotely-located
agents. At the touch of a button, Aira delivers instant access to
information, enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement, and
independence. To learn more, visit http://www.aira.io.
SOURCE The New England College of
Optometry