[SatNews] From the International Space Station to doctors' offices this retinal camera provides hope and help...

The Space Foundation welcomes Provizion Optics as its newest Space Certification program partner and Space Foundation Corporate Patron.

Provizion Optics' Certified Space Technology invention has taken off — literally. Among the equipment assigned to the Space Shuttle Discovery was a retinal camera attachment created by Paul Filar, OD,.designed to go anywhere, including space.

Astronauts on the International Space Station — and now many ophthalmologists, general practitioners, diabetic clinics and veterinarians on Earth — use the Provizion Optics PanOptic Anterior Segment and Retinal Camera Attachment to take still pictures and video of the eye, particularly the optic nerve. Using a computer link, the images can be sent to medical professionals anywhere in the world — or to Earth from space — for diagnoses.

"The gift of sight is invaluable and Provizion Optics exemplifies how technologies developed for or improved through space applications provide practical benefits for us all," said Kevin Cook, Space Foundation director — space awareness programs.

Space Certification products and services have been scrutinized by the Space Foundation, which works closely with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other organizations engaged in space research and development to identify and validate that they are eligible for and deserving of recognition.