A New Way to Check Your Pupils: Introducing NEOS® Quantitative Pupillometry at John Rose Eye Care, Kingston upon Thames

When you visit the optometrist, you may have experienced the familiar "follow the light" test, where a small torch is shone into your eyes to check how your pupils react. While this has been a trusted part of eye examinations for many years, advances in technology now allow us to measure these responses more accurately than ever before.

That's where NEOS® comes in.

What is NEOS®?

NEOS®, developed by Swiss medical technology company machineMD and described by its makers as the world's first neurophthalmoscope, is an advanced, non-invasive device that uses virtual reality (VR) technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to assess eye movements, pupil reactions and binocular vision.

The test is quick, comfortable and completely painless. Simply wearing a lightweight VR headset allows the system to perform a series of highly accurate measurements that would be difficult to capture with the naked eye.

Why are pupil reactions important?

Your pupils do much more than adjust to changes in light. They can provide valuable information about how well the eyes, optic nerves and brain are communicating.

Changes in pupil reactions can sometimes be linked to neurological or eye conditions, making pupil testing an important part of a comprehensive eye examination.

How does NEOS® work?

NEOS® performs a digital version of the traditional swinging flashlight test, a well-known examination used by eye care professionals.

Instead of relying solely on visual observation, NEOS® measures both pupils simultaneously over a three-second period. This provides objective, precise measurements rather than subjective estimates.

The result is consistent, repeatable data that helps your clinician make informed decisions about your eye health.

Who may benefit from this examination?

NEOS® can be particularly helpful if you have:

• Recently experienced a head injury or concussion
• Frequent or unexplained headaches
• New difficulties with focusing or vision
• Symptoms that may require a more detailed neurological eye assessment

It can also be useful for monitoring changes over time if you have an existing neurological or eye condition.

What are The benefits of digital pupil assessment?

Unlike traditional torch testing, NEOS® provides detailed measurements that can be saved and compared over future visits.

This means your clinician can:

• Detect subtle changes that may otherwise be difficult to notice
• Monitor your eye health over time with consistent measurements
• Support clinical decisions with objective data
• Reduce variation between examinations
• Keep secure digital records that can be reviewed whenever needed

Having reliable measurements also helps provide reassurance for both patients and clinicians when tracking changes over time.

Is the test safe?

Yes. NEOS® is a non-invasive examination that does not involve injections or contact with the eye.

The device is certified as a Class IIa medical device under the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR) and is registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.

Available at John Rose Eye Care, Kingston upon Thames

We are pleased to offer NEOS® as part of our Platinum Eye Health Examination, with every assessment carried out under the clinical oversight of John Rose, optometrist. It is also available as a standalone assessment for £120.

Based in Kingston upon Thames and trusted by patients across Richmond and London, our practice has a long history of bringing advanced diagnostic technology to patients first. We were the first practice in the UK to offer the Valeda® Light Delivery System for dry age-related macular degeneration and took part in its original clinical trials. NEOS® continues that same commitment to objective, evidence-led eye care.

If you've recently experienced a head injury, are suffering from persistent headaches, or have noticed changes in your vision or focusing ability, this advanced examination can provide valuable information about your visual and neurological health.

You can book your NEOS® assessment online here:

https://johnroseeyecare.mysight.uk/choose-appointment-type/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NEOS® quantitative pupillometry?

NEOS® is a VR headset based medical device that measures how the pupils respond to light, giving an objective, quantified result instead of a clinician's visual estimate.

Is NEOS® available in Kingston, Richmond,London and beyond ?

Yes. John Rose Eye Care, based in Kingston upon Thames and serving patients across Richmond, Barnes,  London and beyond, offers NEOS® as part of its Platinum Eye Health Examination or as a standalone £120 assessment.

Why would an optometrist recommend a NEOS® pupil test?

It is typically recommended after a recent head injury or concussion, for unexplained headaches, or when a patient reports new difficulty focusing, since pupil response can reflect how the eyes, optic nerves and brain are communicating.

Is NEOS® painful or invasive?

No. It involves wearing a lightweight VR headset, with no contact with the eye and no injections.

Who makes NEOS® and is it regulated?

NEOS® is made by the Swiss medical technology company machineMD and is certified as a Class IIa medical device under the EU Medical Device Regulation.

Does John Rose Eye Care have a history of adopting advanced diagnostic technology?

Yes. John Rose Eye Care was the first UK practice to offer the Valeda® Light Delivery System for dry AMD and took part in its original clinical trials, and now offers NEOS® quantitative pupillometry as part of the same commitment to objective, evidence-led eye care.