The Kilmarnock-based group have teamed up with OrCam, the Israeli tech start-up which has taken the world by storm with its wearable artificial vision technology for partially sighted people.
Combining a small, glasses-mounted camera, ear piece and pocket-sized computer, OrCam’s My Eye reads text to the wearer - interpreting anything from books and letters, to menus, signs, bank notes and packaging. It also offers facial and product recognition. Hailed as potentially revolutionary, My Eye’s functionality and discretion is now transforming the lives of partially-sighted people across the globe.
Peter Telfer Business Partner of Urquhart Opticians commented: “At Urquhart Opticians we are committed to embracing advances in optical care so we are thrilled to be leading the way here in Ayrshire with this exclusive agreement with OrCam.
“When our practice was first established 101 years ago, the founders could never have dreamt that this technology would be around never mind available to our patients. My Eye is an incredible device which can remove significant barriers faced by partially-sighted people every day, from the independence and privacy of accessing written material where and whenever you want, to confidently handling unfamiliar currency, checking sell-by dates in the supermarket or finding the right bus or train. The devices cost around £2500 each, and with an expected lifespan of five years that works out at £1.37 a day.
“Currently, around 2million people in the UK are affected by sight loss, and with our ageing population that number is set to grow. We believe My Eye will be of tremendous interest not only to our own partially sighted patients but to anyone across Ayrshire who is affected by low vision and very much look forward to introducing it to our practices in Kilmarnock Prestwick, Troon and Glasgow.”
To launch OrCam at Urquhart Opticians, two demonstration days will be held at their flagship Kilmarnock practice on Monday 23rd October (9am -1pm) and Friday 27th October (2pm – 5.30pm).
Anyone interested in finding out more or booking an appointment with a certified OrCam trainer should contact Urquhart Opticians on telephone 01563 525059.