Instrumentation

We incorporate a number of computer assisted tests throughout the course of your comprehensive eye and vision examination. Below is a brief introduction to some of our instrumentation.

VisionAnalyzer

One of only 1500 in the world, our Humphrey Vision Analyzer uses virtual reality to test your vision. Rather than looking through lenses and answering "Which is better 1 or 2?", you have interactive control which allows you to change the power of the invisible virtual lenses imaged in front of your eyes! Not only do patients find this easier than deciding between 1 and 2, but it gives them everything in between.
Eye alignment, depth perception and reading vision are also evaluated.

Lens Analyzer

Our Humphrey Lens Analyzer 360 can automatically read the prescription on your glasses. We also use this to verify the prescription accuracy when your glasses are returned from the lab. If it doesn't meet our standards, we make them do it again! Although we could easily set up lab equipment in the office to provide the proverbial 1 hour service, we don't want to put ourselves in the position where the same person who makes the glasses checks the glasses. By using an independent optical lab, we have no economic incentive to accept anything less than perfection!
The Lens Analyzer is also able to measure the ultra-violet, visible and infra-red transmission through a lens, thus ensuring maximum protection from unwanted wavelengths.

The measure of fluid pressure within the eye is called tonometry. It can be performed with a puff of air or with a special device at the biomicroscope. While it is often referred to as "the glaucoma test" that is misleading. Elevated pressure is indeed a risk factor in glaucoma, but there are people with higher than normal pressure who never develop glaucoma, as well as those with normal pressure who do.
Glaucoma can only be diagnosed by examining the optic nerve, visual field, and with the results of tonometry.

    One of the latest advances in glaucoma detection is confocal scanning lasers. Our GDx, from Laser Diagnostic Technologies, uses laser polarimetry to measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL).
    The NFL is gradually lost in glaucoma and can eventually be seen as changes to the optic nerve and ultimately loss of peripheral vision. The GDx allows earlier diagnosis so treatment can begin sooner before any noticeable loss in vision occurs.
    The test only takes a couple of minutes, is painless, and usually does not require pupil dilation.

Peripheral vision can detect things from glaucoma to brain tumors. Dramatic changes can occur to the visual field while still allowing 20/20 vision. That is why this is such a valuable test. Our Zeiss Meditec Matrix instrument uses the latest frequency doubling technology to pick up changes in peripheral vision sooner than conventional visual field instruments. And it's faster too!

$Auto Refractor$

Ever wonder if you're making the right choices when the doctor asks you how it looks, better one way or another? Our Topcon KR 8000 should help allay your fears. By using an infrared beam similar to an auto-focus camera, the auto-refractor determines how nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic you are at the touch of a button!

    Our Humphrey Corneal Topography System gives us even greater information about the shape and curvature of the cornea than has been possible in the past.
    The cornea is the highly curved clear window on the front of the eye. The cornea helps focus light on the retina and therefore plays a significant role in how well you see.
    As the curvature of this clear structure changes, both the way your contact lens fits and your prescription, can change. The Corneal Topography System can detect slight conditions often invisible to even the most thorough conventional testing. This helps us determine why you may not see as well as you would like with conventional lenses.
    A topographic map, like the one to the right, helps in the planning of Laser Vision Correction as well.

We use a Topcon SL-5D biomicroscope which is known for its exceptional optics and high resolution. This instrument allows us to examine for disease that may affect the front portions of the eye including cataracts, conjunctivitis, and corneal dystrophies, as well as the back of the eye including the retinal and optic nerve for signs of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. The biomicroscope is especially useful in evaluating contact lens fitting characteristics and monitoring the health of the cornea for contact wearers.

We have a special camera which allows us to keep a photographic image of the appearance of your optic nerve and retinal blood vessels in your permanent record. With comparison of this image to your eye over time we can pick up changes sooner, leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease.

Please submit any questions or comments to: wbarrod<at>drbarr.com