APS-295 Written Assignment: Visual Health

Visual Health
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According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that more than 39 million people in the world are blind. It is also estimated that more than 256 million across the globe also suffer visual impairment. More than 80% of these cases can be averted or even reverted if people received affordable and adequate visual care especially in the remote areas, according to WHO (Winter, 2014). Peek Vision organization is one of the companies that have taken the initiative to remedy the situation. Using the portable eye examination kit, (PEEK Retina) that clips onto smartphones, physicians and other specialists will be in a position to conduct eye examinations with great ease and come up with remedies in record time (Spendlove, 2014).
With the rise of the 3D technology, the organization has sort to minimize the costs of production by using the technology. Currently the PEEK uses a clip on device and runs on the android platform given that the software on the devices is also open source. Using the android platform the device is able to calculate the disc ratio as well as automate the features on the optic cup. The Fused Filament Fabrication is specifically manufactured using the 3D printing technology. The Plus 3D printer, dubbed PP3DP from China is used in the process (Winston, 2014). The adapter clip that is attached to the smartphones is manufactured specifically using the Rhinoceros 3D printing by the McNeel and Associates. On the other hand the optics blanks are polished by hand after they are cut by laser cutters called the CTR Lasers. Diamond lapping compounds are used in the polishing by hand process to ensure maximum accuracy and perfection in the manufacturing process, as well as accuracy during use of the device in real life.
3D printing is said to revolutionize the aspects of manufacturing in the time to come. At the time much of the dynamics of the same are still under development as is evident with reference to the number of materials that the process is limited to(Cornell, 2015). It is important to point out that it is also a technology that is prone to defects. Given that the ...