1. RETINAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Many systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and arteriosclerosis eventually manifest themselves as changes in the blood vessels inside the eye. Specific diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, tumors and internal eye infections are also apparent to the trained observer when viewing the interior of the eye. Retinal photography aids in diagnosis by giving the doctor a full-color photograph to study so that even the smallest gradual change can be detected and treated appropriately.

Most of the observable changes in your eyes occur over periods of months to years. To record these observations, doctors have had to rely on drawings made by hand, with their inherent limitations.

In just a few seconds a high resolution, wide-angle photograph becomes part of your permanent ocular health record to aid in diagnosis now, and years from now. Should you move from the area, copies of these photographs can be forwarded to your new doctor for future evaluation and comparison.

Below are examples of photographs obtained by our equipment using this technique.  They illustrate graphically the differences seen in a normal retina as compared to diseased retinas.

2. AUTOMATIC VISUAL FIELD TESTING

Although our practice is tailored to the contact lens patient, many of our patients are pleased to learn that we provide a number of other services.

It is generally accepted that a routine eye examination should include a refraction for determining prescription changes, a test for ensuring the health of the eye's interior, and a test for glaucoma. However, another important part of a complete eye examination for adults is Visual Field Testing. A visual field test measures the ability of the eye to see peripherally and indicates that the entire visual system is functioning properly. Most patients who come in for eye examinations do so because of impaired vision. When you direct your focus to a fixed point, you actually move a small area on the retina, called the fovea, into line with the fixation point. The fovea is the only part of the back of the eye that has the ability to see clearly. Often the entire eye examination is an attempt to determine the correction that would improve the visual path to this small area.

Most people take for granted what the eye sees—the total visual field. The patient usually is unaware of problems, or blind spots, in the visual field. For example, very few people are aware that every normal eye has a blind spot in the retina, at the point where the optic nerve enters. Other blind spots can develop as the result of some systemic bodily dysfunction or the growth of a tumor. Quite commonly a blind spot is the first symptom that something is wrong. Unfortunately, it often goes unnoticed. Because manual visual field plotting is time consuming and expensive, it has not been included as part of a routine examination. Properly performed, however, no supplemental vision test is more important as an aid to early detection of visual abnormalities and blind spots symptomatic of other problems. It is therefore recommended that this test be performed routinely on all patients over age 30 and on any other patients presenting any symptoms warranting further investigation.

Now, Automatic Visual Field Plotting can be done in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the expense of its manual counterpart. A new, computer-controlled instrument electronically plots your visual field, resulting in highly accurate, permanent records for both eyes. Any visual field problems will be detected. If the plots are normal, they provide an excellent reference for evaluating changes revealed in subsequent tests.

With this new sophisticated addition to our testing sequence, we are able to provide our patients with an important visual examination not usually performed. This extra measure of care is your assurance that your total visual health is our concern.

3. COMPUTERIZED VIDEO KERATOGRAPHY / CORNEAL TOPOGRAPHY

The corneal topographer system is an electro-optical instrument capable of measuring the shape and contour of the cornea in very fine detail..  This very sophisticated instrument analyzes data collected from images of the eye using two separate algorithms providing us with very fine details regarding the condition of the corneal surface.  It also is very usefull in diagnosing various forms of corneal dystrophy and other corneal abnormalities.

4. DILATED RETINAL EXAMINATION

What is dilation of your eyes?

To dilate your eyes, your optometrist uses drops to cause your pupils, the black spots which are openings, to enlarge. With your pupils dilated, your optometrist has a better opportunity to examine the inside of your eyes.

Who should have their pupils dilated?

If you are a patient new to a practice or have a personal or family history of eye health problems, your optometrist may suggest dilating your eyes. Certain conditions may increase your risk for eye health problems. For example, if you are diabetic or highly nearsighted, your optometrist may recommend a dilated examination. Your age and other factors may also indicate to your doctor that dilation is needed.

Who should not have their pupils dilated?

Based on your current and past health, any allergies you might have or any medication you may be taking, your optometrist will determine if your eyes should not be dilated. Be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies, reactions to drugs or health problems you have had.

What drugs are used to dilate?

Drugs called mydriatics are used, the specific type and strength depending on your own individual needs.

How long does dilation take?

The current drugs used to dilate are fast-acting. Dilation usually occurs in 20 to 45 minutes.

How long will it last?

With some exceptions, the effects usually last from four to six hours.

What does the doctor see?

Imagine looking into a room through a partially opened door. You only see a portion of the room. But if the door is open wide, you can see much more of the room. By enlarging the pupil and using certain instruments, your doctor is able to see more of the structures inside your eye. If you have certain signs or symptoms, the doctor will have a better chance of detecting their cause by seeing more of the inside of your eye. This is especially true if the disease or condition is located peripherally along the side of your eye.

What are the side effects, if any?

Most people encounter few, if any, side effects. Dilation may cause you to experience glare, some sensitivity to light and some blurring of your near vision and may affect your ability to drive. If you are uncomfortable about this, arrange for someone to come along with you to drive you home.

Just a reminder

To reduce problems with light sensitivity and glare following dilation, bring along a pair of sunglasses.  If you wear contact lenses, bring your backup glasses; your doctor may want you to wear them until dilation has worn off.

Dilation can lead to healthier eyes

Dilation can help your optometrist tell if your eyes are healthy. Dilation is very safe and its unlikely that you will experience much inconvenience or discomfort. Dilation, when needed, provides you with the most thorough eye health examination possible. You and your eyes will be healthier for it.

 

5. BIOMICROSCOPIC VIDEO IMAGING

Although our practice is tailored to the contact lens patient, many of our patients are pleased to learn that we provide a number of other services.

It is generally accepted that a routine eye examination should include a refraction for determining prescription changes, a test

6. GONIOSCOPY

Gonioscopy is a necessary and valuable part of the examination of patients considered suspect for open-angle glaucoma and patients with open-angle glaucoma in order to differentiate the primary and secondary forms of the disease.  It is also necessary for patients at risk for angle closure glaucoma based on examination signs and/or symptoms.  Patients with abnormalities of the anterior chamber, and patients with disease processes that may interfere with the anterior chamber, such as inflammatory disease or anterior segment tumors or cysts, and patients who have suffered trauma and require gonioscopy.

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