FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARLINGTON, Vt. (Oct 17, 2011) – PediaVision, inventor of a new breakthrough vision screening device called Spot, has chosen MackMedical/Mack Molding as its manufacturing partner. The first customer shipments were released earlier this month.
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.
Easy to use
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 a large-scale public screening. For example, a typical school can be screened in one day, dramatically lowering the cost to screen students.
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. Built on a robust technology platform and new optical design, Spot produces high-quality imagery and data, according to PediaVision President & CEO David Melnik. “We’re also using new processes to analyze the data, resulting in consistent, predictable accuracy across a wide range of measurements, and a very low false positive rate,” he adds.
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.
Reaching full potential
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that vision disability is the single most prevalent disabling condition among children. Approximately 80 percent of what children learn in their early school years is visual; so if they can’t see a teacher’s writing on the blackboard, for example, they will struggle. To complicate the issue further, vision problems rise as children get older. In children six to 11 years old, an estimated 21.5 percent have a vision problem. In students 12 to 17 years, 24 percent are affected.
In a recent study of the top seven health issues in schools, vision disability was ranked number one. Yet, according to the CDC, less than 15 percent of all preschool children receive an eye exam, and fewer than 22 percent receive any type of vision screening. Of all school-age children across the U.S., 25 percent suffer from a vision problem.2
“Our goal is to give every child the opportunity to reach his or her full potential,” says Melnik. “Many of the things we can do to move the educational performance bar in this country require long-term, big-ticket investments. Ensuring that young people have an opportunity to see clearly does not. So we must do better. The status quo simply isn’t working.”
Why Mack
PediaVision wanted Spot to be designed and manufactured in the U.S., according to 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.
About Mack Molding
Mack Molding is a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services. Mack specializes in plastics design, prototyping, molding, sheet metal fabrication, full-service machining, and medical device manufacturing. Founded in 1920, Mack is a privately owned business that operates 10 facilities throughout the world. Don Kendall is president and CEO.
About PediaVision
PediaVision (Lake Mary, Fla.), inventor of the Spot vision screener, is dedicated to solving the critical problem of undiagnosed vision problems through automated and objective vision screening. Supported by ophthalmologists, optometrists, scientists and leading technology innovators, the Spot vision screener is breakthrough technology that empowers public health organizations and private medicine to positively affect the outcomes of a child’s educational performance. For more info, contact Jeff Mortensen, jeff.mortensen@pediavision.com or visit www.pediavision.com.
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