We utilize many instruments and specialized equipment to help evaluate your eye health and treat your eye conditions. Some of these instruments are used for routine eye exams, and others are for analysis of specific eye health conditions. This page will give you an idea of what to expect from some instruments and the reasoning behind their use.
Regular detailed examination of the inside of the eye – the retina, is critical to eye health. Doctors use a number of techniques to examine the retina including looking into the eye, usually after dilating, and the use of special cameras for imaging inside the eye. Until recently, most ophthalmic cameras could only photograph about 20% of the retina at a time. We now know that many eye diseases occur or begin at the outer edges of the retina, (“the periphery”), so examining this area is extremely important. Because seeing the entire retina is so important we have invested in the most advanced camera for ultra-widefield photography. In a single, quick shot, this camera produces “optomap” photos of about 82% of the retina. These optomap images provide superior visibility of the retinal periphery allowing us to see, document, show you, and follow pathology that could not be seen with traditional eye cameras. The optomap exam is quick and painless and combined with the thorough eye exams we are trained to provide this advanced technology offers a new level of diagnostic confidence. We are proud and happy to offer this service to our patients.
We have the latest high-tech refracting system! The device that makes optometrists famous for the question "one or two?" has been modernized and has made the process more quick and accurate compared to manual refractors. Refractors have thousands of lens combinations in them that allow the doctor to determine what power of lenses you like for your best vision. With the automated refracting system, just with one click of a button, and you can see the difference between your current glasses and the new prescription.
The Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT is a laser scanning instrument that scans the eye with light and allows for the evaluation of layers of the retina, macula, cornea, or optic nerve. This instrument is useful in analyzing the retina to evaluate macular thickness, wet or dry macular degeneration, separations, holes, hemorrhages, or raised areas of the macula and retina. In glaucoma patients or suspects, we analyze the optic nerve area. We can measure nerve fiber thickness all around the optic nerve, and map in 3 dimensions the optic disc area. We watch for changes over time in these areas. We can also measure the front corneal surface of the eye to assist in evaluating the accuracy of pressure measurements, and check for angle closure glaucoma conditions, and it is useful with scleral contact lens evaluations.
The Zeiss Humphrey Corneal Topographer creates a mapping of the front cornea surface of your eye. It is helpful in fitting and evaluating contact lenses, diagnosing corneal disease, irregular astigmatism, and keratoconus, and is necessary for laser vision correction evaluation and follow-up care. We include corneal topography in all of our contact lens fitting services and post-laser vision correction eye exams. This data is plotted on a map where it can be analyzed in a number of ways depending on our specific needs.
In its simplest form, this is a specialized camera designed to take pictures of the back surfaces of your eye. We normally take photos of things we want to monitor or an area that needs to be expanded for better observation or measurement. With digital software, we can add filters or change the contrast to better observe what we need to see. For glaucoma patients or suspects, we will photograph the optic nerve area. Changes in the optic nerve may mean new treatment or a change of treatment is necessary. The camera can capture a large area of the retinal or macula in a high-resolution format that can be studied for evaluation or documentation for future reference. Fundus photography can be particularly valuable for patients with drusen, diabetes, nevi, glaucoma, macular degeneration, vein or artery blockage, hemorrhages, or retinal detachments. Many times, these photographs can be used to help our patients understand their condition.
Lipiflow is a new technological solution that addresses the underlying cause of your dry eyes, rather than simply treating the symptoms. It is most effective at helping patients whose dry eyes are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction – a condition characterized by problems with the way that the meibomian glands produce the oil that forms an essential part of our tear film. The meibomian glands can become less productive, or in some cases, even blocked by hardened oil deposits. This prevents the oil from reaching your tear film, making it less effective. Lipiflow targets the meibomian glands, warming them to break down oily blockages and massaging your eyes to make sure that the oil, and then the tear film, is evenly dispersed.
Learn more about Lipiflow here.