(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Most people have two thoughts when they hear the term augmented reality. The first is something out of Iron Man, and the other is typically “What is that?” While some people have augmented reality apps on their phones, they are far from the majority. Augmented reality is a little-known technology, but that might be about to change. In fact, it might not be too long before it is a household term, or something that plays a large role in your medical decisions.
What is Augmented Reality?
To start, what is augmented reality? Augmented reality is the use of technology to display things like images or text over a live image. It is often confused with virtual reality, which is when an entirely computer-generated image is produced. Augmented reality is not those headgear pieces you see everyone wearing that shows them in another location.
One website defines it as “the integration of digital information with the user’s environment in real time. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a totally artificial environment, augmented reality uses the existing environment and overlays new information on top of it.”
For a long time augmented reality was the stuff of sci-fi movies and books. Now, thanks to advancements in computers and other technologies, it is much more of a reality, to the point that we can get it right on our phones.
How Augmented Reality Has Been Traditional Used
Up until now, augmented reality has largely been used through mobile apps. Since most (if not all) phones these days come with cameras, augmented reality apps are able to use the live visual feed from the camera and add text or images to it on the screen. A recent example of this is the popular mobile game Pokemon Go, which allowed users to play the game based on their surroundings. Other examples include travel apps, which display information about the attractions around you, or home décor apps, which can show you what different paint colors would look like on your wall or how different furniture pieces would look.
Now, however, augmented reality is starting to be used in a more practical sense – namely, with medical professionals.
Augmented Reality for Medical Assistance
One of the primary ways that augmented reality is being used in medicine is with plastic surgery. With this technology surgeons can show their patients the outcome of a surgery before they do the procedure. For example, a plastic surgeon can show a patient how different breast implants will impact their body and what the finished result would look like.
With this new information, patients can now make more informed decisions about the procedures they want. This means there is less anxiety about the process, and ultimately a higher satisfaction with the finished product.
It starts by having a patient come in for a consultation. During this consultation the doctor will show the patient different possibilities using augmented reality. The patient can see the results on the screen, without having anything done to their bodies. It’s non-invasive, making it an easy process for both the doctor and the patient.
Who Is Providing Augmented Reality Technology to Plastic Surgeons?
One of the leading companies behind providing augmented reality technology to plastic surgeons is ILLUSIO. Based in San Clemente, California, this medical software company provides augmented reality tech to surgeons all across the country. With the addition of Dr. Rohit Varma to the board of directors, their goal is to now spread to academic medical centers and community hospitals. Their hope is that by expanding the access to augmented reality tech, more patients will get to benefit from it in various applications.
The Future of Augmented Technology
It’s likely that augmented reality technology will continue to improve and spread. As our computers become more advanced, the capabilities of augmented reality will grow as a result. It won’t be long before we have more games using augmented reality and more apps aimed at helping our daily lives.
But more importantly than that, it won’t be long before augmented reality is doing more to help save lives. Already there is talk of incorporating augmented reality in operating rooms to provide surgeons with more information as they operate. Technology like this could make a surgeon’s job much easier, and therefore result in many lives saved.
We can only hope that the technology continues to trend in this direction. Thanks to companies like ILLUSIO, augmented reality technology is starting to appear in more medical settings around the country. This has resulted in better patient care and improved lives for thousands of people.