The Apple iPhone has had many uses in the medical industry, and it looks like it will continue to make advances in the field as MIT researchers have just developed a way for the smartphone to detect cataracts. The CATRA system, developed by the Camera Culture Media Lab at MIT, is an iPhone attachment that helps detect cataracts by having the user look into the device.
Here is a brief description by PSFK:
The CATRA utilizes a forward scattering technique, which allows the user to respond to what they visually experience specifically. Based on what the user sees, the CATRA can make an intelligent diagnosis of the severity of the eye condition.
Cataracts are the leading cause of human blindness, so perhaps detecting them early might help doctors prevent total loss of vision.
We’ve seen the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad used in the medical field before. There was an app and attachment we saw last year that converted the iPhone 4 into an ECG machine and a heart rate monitor.
To see the CATRA system in action, be sure to check out the video below.
[Via: TUAW]