Question 1

What exactly is Iris Clinical?

Accepted Answer

Iris Clinical is an AI-powered clinical workspace built specifically for UK optometrists. It has three core parts: an AI clinical chat assistant you can ask anything — from pathology questions to medication queries to referral urgency decisions; a referral letter generator that turns your clinical findings into structured, pathway-aware letters in seconds; and a clinical image bank for visual reference and learning.

Question 2

Who is it built for?

Accepted Answer

Iris Clinical is built for UK optometrists at any stage — qualified optometrists in independent or multiple practice, locums who work without a fixed clinical team around them, and pre-registration optometrists and optometry students who want a knowledgeable, non-judgmental resource to support their confidence in the test room.

Question 3

Is this just another ChatGPT wrapper?

Accepted Answer

No. Generic AI tools are built for general use and have no understanding of UK optometry — referral pathways, prescribing considerations, GOC standards, or how UK clinical workflows actually operate. IRIS is designed specifically around UK optometry practice, with outputs that reflect how optometry works in the UK.

Question 4

Is my data safe? Where is it stored?

Accepted Answer

Your data is hosted in the EU (Frankfurt, Germany) and never leaves that region for storage purposes. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We are GDPR compliant. Importantly, your clinical input is never used to train AI models. Uploaded images are processed by Google Gemini for AI inference only and are not used for training. Images are automatically deleted after 30 days. Payments are handled securely by Stripe. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Question 5

Should I enter real patient data?

Accepted Answer

You should avoid entering full patient identifiers — name, date of birth, NHS number, or address. Iris Clinical is designed to work effectively from clinical findings alone, which is how most optometrists naturally use it. Your practice's information governance policy should guide what data you enter into any third-party tool.

Question 6

Does IRIS replace my clinical judgement?

Accepted Answer

No — and it is not designed to. IRIS is a clinical support tool. It can help you think through a case, structure a referral, or find information quickly — but clinical responsibility always remains with the optometrist. Every response includes a reminder of this.

Question 7

How does the referral letter generator work?

Accepted Answer

You enter your clinical findings — patient age, symptoms, visual acuity, IOP, fundus findings, and so on. IRIS generates a structured referral letter, a patient-friendly explanation, and SOAP-format clinical notes — all at once, ready to use or edit.

Question 8

What is the image bank?

Accepted Answer

The image bank is a visual clinical reference library built into the AI chat. You can ask IRIS to show you images of clinical conditions — cataracts, macular pathology, disc changes, and more — to support learning, revision, or case reference during a consultation. You can also upload your own clinical images for analysis.

Question 9

Can I use it on my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Iris Clinical is fully mobile responsive and works on any modern smartphone or tablet browser. No app download is required.

Question 10

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Iris Clinical has three tiers. Free — £0/month, includes 3 referral letters per month, structured output tailored to UK pathways, and full history of your drafts, no card required. Iris Clinical Pro — £19.99/month, VAT included, no hidden fees, includes unlimited referral letters, unlimited AI clinical chat, access to the clinical image bank, and priority access to new features, cancel anytime. Pre-reg and Student — £15.99/month, VAT included, everything in Pro at a reduced rate for pre-registration optometrists and optometry students, discount verified on application.

Question 11

Is there a contract or minimum term?

Accepted Answer

No. All paid plans are month-to-month. You can cancel at any time from your account settings with no penalty.

Question 12

I'm a pre-reg — is this suitable for me?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many pre-regs find IRIS particularly useful as a non-judgmental resource they can consult during or after a difficult case. It won't replace your supervisor, but it can help you think through cases, understand pathology, and build clinical confidence — all at a reduced monthly rate designed with your budget in mind.

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