This edition of ‘Apps for the Ophthalmologist’ will focus on some tools that the eye care specialist can use for learning, as well as a testing app useful for patients. Then, a couple of general medical apps will be discussed that can aid providers in diagnosis and evaluation of patients. Finally, some useful ICD10 apps are mentioned to guide us through this new era in coding.
Learning Module Apps for the Eye Care Specialist
Toric Pro (Free)
By Alcon Labs, Inc
Toric Pro is an app designed to help the practitioner develop skills and build knowledge with the toric IOL procedure. The app is specifically intended for eye care specialists. Users must agree to the Alcon Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy in order to use the app. Toric Pro provides a comprehensive overview of the procedure as well as learning modules, such as SIA calculations, Better Biometry, Toric Calculator, Talking to Patients and Practice Marketing. The latest version is 1.1.3, updated in August 2015 with new screenshots and bug fixes. It is compatible with the iPad. The size is 243 MB and requires iOS 7.0 or later.
EyesHaveIt ($4.99)
By the University of Michigan
Dr. Jonathan Trobe, an ophthalmologist at the University of Michigan, wrote this app. It is designed to teach medical and optometric students and to assist physicians, optometrists, ophthalmic technicians, nurses, etc. in diagnosing and managing eye care problems. There are 134 eye conditions that are showcased through bulleted text that address ‘what it is’, ‘how it appears’, ‘what else it looks like’, ‘what to do’ and ‘what will happen’. 410 images are included with highlighting arrows. There are more than 40 narrated animations and patient videos, and 6 screening examination videos. One can study the structures of the eye and visual pathway through pop-up cross sectional drawings and ophthalmoscopic images. One can watch videos that teach how to conduct the common screening eye exams and interpret what you find. A quiz of multiple-choice questions allows users to test themselves on their knowledge of eye conditions and their management. This quiz can also be used by instructors to assess the proficiency of their trainees. This app was updated in April 2015 to version 2.1. It is 30.9 MB and requires iOS 6.0 or later. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
Testing Module App for the Patient
PseudoChromatic ColorTest (Free)
By Cassiopeia Information Technologies
This app, designed for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, consists of Ishihara plates, the most common color vision test. The app can be used for those who are wondering if they are color blind, or can be used as a monitoring tool for patients who have a condition that may affect the optic nerve, such as thyroid eye disease, an orbital mass or intracranial hypertension. The app was updated in May 2013, is at version 2.2 with a describe draw option, is 2.2MB and requires iOS 4.3 or later.
General Medical Apps
Diagnosaurus DDx (Free)
By Unbound Medicine, Inc.
This free app is a quick reference tool that helps practitioners perform differential diagnoses by quickly searching over 1,000 diagnoses by organ system, symptom or disease. There is a “See Related DDx” tool within each entry to consider alternative diagnoses and quickly link to those entries. Also features a “Favorites” section that allows one to save specific searches and bookmark in a personal archive. This app was updated in September 2015 to version 1.3 and is 6.2 MB. It requires iOS 6.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This app is also available on Google Play for Android devices.
Medical Lab Tests ($2.99)
By Medicon Apps
For those of us ophthalmologists who routinely order labs for encountered disease processes, this app may be useful. This app covers the most common laboratory tests and their interpretation. All reference values are in SI units and US. Categories include red blood cells, white blood cells, coagulation, electrolytes and metabolites, arterial blood gas, enzymes and proteins, ions and trace metals, cardiac tests, liver and pancreas, lipids, hormones, immunology, CSF and urine. The app was updated in May 2013. It is up to version 3.1 and is 2.4 MB. It requires iOS 4.3 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Coding Apps
ICD-10 Virtual Code Book ($7.99)
By Precyse University
This app allows the user to enter clinical terms, disease or condition names to search for correct and specific ICD-10-CM codes without the use of a codebook or encoder. The user can enter additional clinical words and modifiers to refine searches and get a more specific code for conditions that offer hundreds of choices. It also provides detailed information on each code including guidelines and convention information such as: excludes, includes, code also, and other rules governing code selection. This app also offers specific ICD-10 documentation tips for many conditions. It allows saving favorites for quick reference and users can look up codes by chapter and cross-reference with other related codes. This app can be used by physicians who code, non-credentialed individuals who code, professional and hospital coders and billers, clinical documentation improvement specialists, quality assurance, and compliance officers. This was updated in October 2015. It is on version 4.1.0 and is 24.2 MB. It requires iOS 7.1 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
ICD10 Consult 2016 Free (Free)
By Evan Schoenberg
This app was created with a deep code analysis to allow easy handling of laterality, encounter, and staging codes. Searching for complete, current ICD10-CM codes are made easier because thousands of medical acronyms and synonyms have been cross-referenced allowing searches by commonly used abbreviations. For instance, MI can be used to search for myocardial infarction. Plurals match singulars lending flexibility. There are links within code descriptions as well as coding guidelines that will indicate whether a code is valid for reimbursement or if more specificity is needed. There is a favorites list that can be created and conversions from ICD9 to ICD10 by name or by code number. The codes are effective 10/1/2015. This app was updated 1/14/2016. It is version 8.0.5, is 61.2 MB and is designed for the iPhone and iPad.