Bayer Middle East has introduced its Alleye Home Monitoring Sponsorship Programme to the Egyptian healthcare sector, it has been confirmed. The global pharma giant is reportedly working with some of the country’s top-rated eye hospitals to “support Egypt’s ophthalmologists in the new era” of virtual care for patients with either Diabetic Macular Edema [DME] – a complication of diabetic retinopathy – or age-related macular degeneration [AMD].

“From findings in my practice and the practices of fellow colleagues, I can say that the problem of DME may be superior to the problem of AMD in Egypt,” said Mohamed Moghazy Mahgoub, Professor of Ophthalmology, and Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Ain-Shams University. “A good reason to think so is that the Middle East has a rising population of diabetes in general, according to numbers from the National Diabetes Association, and that Egypt is already [at a] population of more than 100 million.”  

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Part of the Zurich-based Oculocare Medical, Alleye is a mobile medical software application that detects, characterises, and/or tracks progression of central and paracentral metamorphopsia – also known as visual distortion – in patients with diabetic retinopathy and/or AMD. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the retina.

Patients are able to use the app at home to perform self-tests, with information shared with their physicians or healthcare provider.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Bayer-sponsored programme will allow the ophthalmologists of hospital partners in Egypt to keep track of their patients’ progress. According to Bayer Middle East, the programme will also help “reduce deterioration linked to diabetes and ageing, as well as reduce in-person ophthalmology visits.”

The company explained in a statement: “With the Alleye Home Monitoring Sponsorship Program, hospitals can reduce patient clinic visits and monitor their eye health and disease state remotely with patients staying at home.

“Patients will be able to send their vision scan results to the ophthalmologist responsible for their case who would, in turn, analyse their results to determine if the patient’s condition is stable or has improved or progressed in a way that requires intervention.”

Just last month, the same Bayer initiative launched in Lebanon.

ON THE RECORD

“[The programme] is a great initiative from Bayer. In order to maximise [its] efficiency and help patients benefit from the tool, doctors should use this app with patients who are digitally oriented,” added Mahgoub. “Given that patients are able to use the application properly, I think it will be well-received by physicians as we are always trying to learn new ways to bring our patients back to treatment or follow-up.

“We are always enthusiastic about making the patients themselves interested in the disease and able to understand the importance of being monitored by their doctors or monitoring themselves regularly, so [that] they won’t let themselves deteriorate before seeking help.”