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D-EYE eye-scanning iPhone accessory lets medical professionals screen for, diagnose disorders

D-EYE, an Italian company working to deploy affordable medical systems for mass health screenings, on Wednesday announced its eponymous iPhone-based retinal imaging accessory is now shipping.

Designed for medical professionals, D-EYE is a passive accessory that transforms iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 models into a portable opthalmoscope for imaging the fundus of the eye, or the internal lining of an eyeball.

The retinal examiner's small box-like module attaches to a provided bumper-style case, positioning it directly over iPhone's rear camera and LED array. By tapping into iPhone's camera, processing and communications capabilities, D-EYE achieved a low price point suitable for clinical screenings in areas where such technology may otherwise be unavailable.

"We are excited to help millions of people, many in underserved populations, receive proper eye care with our low-cost retinal screening capability," said Richard Sill, CEO of D-EYE. "D-EYE's telemedicine applications will transcend traditional spatial boundaries, allowing specialists worldwide to assist and collaborate on diagnoses, which is especially impactful in areas where resources are limited or when patients are unable to travel."

The module boasts a 20-degree field of view for observing a patient's optic nerve, retina and other eye structures without corneal glare. Since the system relies on iPhone's LED as a light source, it requires no extra power, making it an ideal solution for on-the-go diagnostics.

With the ability to capture photographs and video, D-EYE can be used to screen for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, blood vessel abnormalities, hemorrhages and other disorders. The accessory is registered with both the FDA and CE.

D-EYE is also working to roll out its own HIPAA-compliant cloud platform called ImageVault. Available later this year, the subscription service will offer the usual off-site data storage features, but is also designed to promote telemedicine applications by allowing users the ability to share images with other medical professionals.

D-EYE is available now for iPhone 5, 5s and 6, as well as select Android handsets, and can be purchased through the company's website for $445.