Posts Tagged ‘Retinal Imaging’

News Flashes for June

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

The world of Optics never stands still, with new technology, new products and of course gossip flooding our inboxes and trade magazines every week. So what’s new in the news right now, and how does it affect you, our precious clients?

Optos, a company who are pioneers in the science of retinal imaging, are getting ever closer to perfecting a test for early signs of Alzheimers disease. There has long been interest in the concept of eye examinations providing further general health screening, and there have been several studies into the relationship between retinal changes and Alzheimers. Optos retinal imaging shows up signs of retinal defect which could be linked to changes in the nervous system. Research is ongoing at present.

Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers has become Britain’s first female self-made billionaire, if the Sunday times rich list is correct in it’s data! Dame Mary set up the optical chain with her husband Doug, and now has over one and half thousand stores across ten countries. They have a 30% share of Optical business across the UK, but watch out – we’re on your tail!!

Online Opticians are working hard on our client’s behalf to change legislation and make it part of the eye examination results to give pupil distance measurements to patients. As online opticians continue to grow, more patients request this measurement, which Opticians are presently not legally bound to give you. We say come on opticians – no sour grapes – there’s room for all of us, and you would be making your patient’s lives easier! Andrew Lansley, secretary of state, has said that there are no plans at present to change the ruling, but watch this space!

The University of Aberdeen has been granted funding to study the results of free eye care services in Scotland. This change of policy began in 2006, to encourage the public to visit their Optician, and to cut down waiting lists for referrals to the Hospital Eye Service. The research will examine whether eye exam numbers have increased, and which sectors of the population this has affected.

Varifocal Glasses

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Testing Times

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

It has been reported this week that paying for eye tests is becoming a thing of the past as so many opticians do the examination for free. This is a surprising development as the eye exam should involve many separate tests and thorough checking by a qualified professional. It should cover all the guidelines set out by the Government as well as individual investigation if problems are evident. How do you know if you’ve been checked properly?

The optician should take plenty of time to get to know you and your specific history and current symptoms, worries and problems. They need to know about optical problems in your family, medication you are using, and any odd optical effects or pain you are suffering. They also need to check the strength of your present glasses or contact lenses.

Pre-screening tests should cover your field of vision, the internal pressure of the eye, and Retinal Imaging or Ocular Coherance Tomography. All of these tests cover every aspect of your sight and eye health, so check that your optician can do them and has the training to interpret the results. Optical support staff may do the pre-screening tests for you, but your optician should be the one who looks at the results with you.

The optician will then check your sight, and the health of your eyes. They may need to refer you on for further treatment, or suggest a visit to your GP for problems such as high blood pressure. They will also discuss your needs with regard to spectacle or contact lenses.

Some opticians are also trained in specific areas such as sports vision, therapeutic contact lens wear, behavioural optometry and treatment for Dyslexic patients. As in every aspect of life you get what you pay for – so what are getting if the service is free?!! Scour the web and find an optician who will do the job properly, and don’t be afraid to phone ahead for advice.

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Sight Saving Screening

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

We’re all grateful for advances in technology that can improve our health and enable us to get speedy diagnosis and treatment. Optics benefits as much as other fields of medical science in new screening techniques and equipment. The buzz words in Optics at the moment are all about Retinal imaging, which enables opticians to take a really close look at the back of the eye and make earlier diagnoses of potential problems.

The retina is a vital part of our sight giving system. It’s a delicate, multi-layered structure that lines the eye, sending what we see to the brain. There are several problems that can occur with the retina, and the earliest possible detection can lead to better and more successful treatment.

Before screening technology opticians could take a look at the back of the eye by shining a light in and closely examining small areas at any one time. They also had no way of recording their findings, so it was hard to map changes from visit to visit. Retinal cameras allowed them to capture pictures of the entire retina and then store it for next time. Consultants can access images online or via e-mail to confer with opticians.

The next generation of cameras, Ocular Coherence Tomographers, now scan in 3D, allowing the optician to make much more detailed, in depth examination of the retinal layers. This makes diagnosis more accurate. They can also peel away layers of the image for in depth assessment of exactly what’s happening within each strata of the retina.

Ocular Coherence Tomographers - The next generation in retinal imaging

Ocular Coherence Tomographers - The next generation in retinal imaging

If you want to take care of your eyes, and your precious sight, keep up to date with regular eye checks, and make sure your optician has retinal imaging – not all do – and that they are fully conversant with it. If you have family history of eye disease then it is well worth your while to find an optician who can screen properly, and diagnose any potential problems before they become an issue for you. Imaging usually costs a little more than the standard eye test, and is not covered by the NHS, but what price your sight?

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All About Eye Tests

Friday, July 17th, 2009

If your eye sight is not up to the driving standard then you might be more dangerous than a drunk driver when out on the road. An eye test will detect eye diseases and pick up general health problems too. 89% of people fear the loss of their sight over any other sense, yet many do not have regular eye tests.

In the UK your eyes will be tested by an Optometrist – also called an ophthalmic optician. They are fully qualified, and are governed by the General Optical Council, who insist upon a specified list of tests, and control other issues such as the confidentiality of your appointment. The GOC suggest that eye exams are necessary every two years, although you may be recalled earlier if anything needs monitoring. The opticians will fully check the health of your eyes, and test your vision.

Eye Examination Routine

The optician will talk to you about any medication you are taking, your general health, and any symptoms you are concerned about. They will ask about your job, hobbies and sports activities, as these may affect the glasses they prescribe. They will assess the glasses you currently wear. You will then be tested in the following ways.

Intraocular Pressure

High pressure of the fluid inside the eye could mean Glaucoma, an eye disease that can lead to blindness. Nowadays most Opticians use a puff of air to read the pressure.

Visual Fields

A symptom of Glaucoma is a reduced field of view. The optician will check your peripheral vision, and your all-round vision.

Retinal Imaging

The optician uses a camera to take a picture of the retina, the light sensitive layer that lines the back of the eye. This can detect early signs of eye disease. During the rest of the test the optician sees small areas of the retina, with imagining they can see all of it and store the image for future reference.

Refraction

This tests your need for corrective lenses. You are checked for close work, intermediate – ie the VDU, and far distance. The optician uses a trial frame, into which he puts a series of test lenses, or a mechanised version called a phoropter. He may also use a hand held light to double check your prescription.

Pupil Reflex

This checks that your pupils react normally to light. Abnormal responses may be a sign of a neurological problem. The optician shines a light into your eyes to make sure your pupils dilate and contract as they should.

Oculomotor Balance

Muscles controlling eye movements have to co-ordinate, to give you comfortable vision and no double vision. There are several different ways of checking this.

Ophthalmoscopy – This is very important as it can detect eye health problems and general health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and macular degeneration. The optician uses a hand held instrument to examine the internal structures of the eye.

The optician will explain your results, and give you a copy of your spectacle prescription. In the event of finding any general or eye health problems that need treatment or investigation they will go through this with you and refer you to your GP.

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