Dr. Ashwin Reddy recently introduced Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow (KTG), and Helene Dameris, Director of Global Outreach for KTG, to the innovative and inspiring Dr. Louise Allen, a consultant pediatric Ophthalmic Surgeon at Cambridge University Hospital. Dr. Allen, who has spent over two decades in the field, shared the challenges she’s encountered in detecting congenital cataracts in newborns. These cataracts, if left undiagnosed and untreated, can rob infants of their sight during the critical early weeks of life, leading to lifelong blindness.
Dr. Allen is not only leading a groundbreaking study but also invented the innovative Neocam device, designed to close a significant gap in newborn eye care. Her work has the potential to revolutionize the way congenital cataracts are detected, particularly in communities where traditional screening methods often fall short.
A red reflex exam is standard practice in hospitals worldwide, where every newborn’s eyes are checked at birth with a white light torch, called an ophthalmoscope. But as Dr. Allen revealed, this exam isn’t as foolproof as it seems. Astonishingly, 1 in 3 congenital cataracts are missed during these exams. It can be a difficult test to do in newborn babies and many midwives and nurses—those tasked with performing the test— have never seen a cataract and find evaluating the reflex difficult..
This issue is particularly pronounced in babies with darker eyes, since pigmentation reduces the brightness of the red reflex, making it more challenging to detect abnormalities. Dr. Allen pointed out the stark racial inequities at play, since the red reflex exam was developed decades ago in Caucasian populations, and is less accurate for babies from Black and Asian backgrounds. “The current test is missing the mark for so many children,” Dr. Allen explained, “and that’s something we desperately need new technology to improve.”
Driven by the frustration of seeing too many children with preventable blindness, Dr. Allen wanted to create a solution. The Neocam was born; a device that uses infrared technology, allowing for more accurate and reliable detection of cataracts in newborns. Since infrared light is optimally reflected from the back of the eyes and does not cause constriction of the pupils, Neocam creates clear digital images that can be analyzed remotely by ophthalmologists, adding a telemedicine component to the project.
Dr. Allen’s initial proof-of-concept study was a resounding success, demonstrating the effectiveness of infrared screening for childhood cataracts. But this was just the beginning. To validate the device for widespread use, her team is conducting a massive study aiming to involve 100,000 to 140,000 babies across 25 maternity units in the UK, with a target completion date in September 2025. So far, they’ve recruited more than 17,000 infants and detected cataracts and other eye problems in 8 babies that were not detected with red reflex screening, but they still need more babies to take part.
Thanks to a £1.8 million grant from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research, Dr. Allen’s work is in full swing. But securing funding wasn’t just about moving the research forward—it also provided much-needed legitimacy. “This research will help to establish the Neocam as an accurate and effective instrument for newborn eye screening,” Dr. Allen said. “Hopefully, we will one day see the Neocam in maternity wards across the globe.”
For infants with severe cataracts, time is of the essence. Dr. Allen stressed that without surgery within the first ten weeks of life, these children will never develop normal vision, even if the cataracts are removed later in childhood. The cataracts have interfered with their “learning to see” at the most critical time. Early detection during this critical time is crucial to ensure these newborns have a fighting chance at sight.
This urgency is what fuels Dr. Allen’s passion for innovation. The Neocam, while in its prototype phase, could soon be screening hundreds of babies a day in maternity wards, offering an affordable and scalable solution. It’s designed to be different from tools like the Arclight, a compact diagnostic device often used for screening in remote settings, but the Neocam’s power lies in its simplicity—point, shoot, capture and deliver optimal images.
Despite the promise of Neocam, Dr. Allen acknowledged the obstacles that come with introducing new technology to healthcare systems. She lamented to Megan that changing healthcare practice can be difficult. There are many barriers to the acceptance and implementation of new technology. In fact, she noted that 95% of proven healthcare innovations never make it to widespread adoption, despite their potential benefits.
Yet, Dr. Allen remains undeterred. She’s also working on several other pioneering tools, including a vision and hearing testing app and an urgent eye care triage support tool. Her commitment to improving pediatric care shines through every project.
While Dr. Allen is focusing on her UK-based study, the implications of the Neocam are global.
For Dr. Allen, the mission is clear: to provide every newborn—regardless of race or background—with the best possible start in life, free from preventable blindness. The Neocam has the potential to be a vital tool in that journey, and with ongoing research, advocacy, and support from healthcare professionals like Megan Webber and the KnowTheGlow community, it could be transformative for newborn eye care.
As Dr. Allen pushes forward, one thing is certain: her groundbreaking work is not just about improving statistics; it’s about giving children the gift of sight and breaking down barriers in pediatric healthcare for good. KnowTheGlow looks forward to watching the study progress and hopes to continue to share updates as we cheer on her efforts toward ensuring the best vision care for the most vulnerable infants worldwide.
