Diagnostic Equipment
Perimeter
The Heidelberg Edge Perimeter (HEP), by Heidelberg Engineering, uses a stimulus known as Flicker-Defined Form to target M-cells, which aids in detecting functional vision loss due to early-stage glaucoma. The stimulus uses flickering black and white patterns to test the patients perception of a circular edge. This methodology is comfortable for patients, the company says.
The HEP is designed to work in combination with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph. Call 1-800-931-2230, or go to www.heidelbergengineering.com.
Imaging Software Upgrade
The Optomap Plus, by Optos plc, now comes with upgraded operating software: V2 Vantage. The software upgrade includes new features, such as 3-D Wrap Patient Orientation Tool, ResMax High Resolution Enhancement for Central Pole, Practice Performance Statistics and Targeted Ophthalmoscopy Mode. The operating software upgrade is available for all new systems, and is being rolled out to existing customers.
Call 1-800-854-3039, or go to www.optos.com.
Portable B-Scan
The Model 8000 Scanmate B-Scan, by DGH Technologies, connects to any laptop computer with Windows XP or
The Scanmate offers a full-screen zoom of 2x and a focused zoom of 10x. Reports can be created from captured images with the press of one button. Scan depths are available from 3cm to 10cm in frequencies of 12MHZ or 15 MHz.
A carrying case, holder, 6-foot USB cable, software CD and user manual are included. Call 1-800-722-3883, or go to www.dghkoi.com.
Ophthalmic Lenses
Lens Line Expansion
Varilux Comfort and Varilux Ellipse lenses, by Essilor of America, are now available in Essilors Thin&Lite 1.60 high-index material. These two lens lines are now offered in the full gamut of Essilor thin lenses: Airwear and Thin&Lite 1.60, 1.67 and 1.74.
Varilux lenses are designed for presbyopic patients. The Comfort line specializes in smooth transitions between viewing zones. The Ellipse line of short-corridor progressive lenses is designed for small ophthalmic frames.
The Thin&Lite 1.60 lenses offer a power range of -12.00D to +8.00D, add powers ranging from 0.75D to 3.50D and a cylinder of -4.00D. Call 1-800-843-3937, or go to www.essilorusa.com.
Contact Lenses
Lens Line Expansion
Proclear Multifocal Toric presbyopic lenses, by CooperVision, are available in extended parameters. These lenses now fit sphere powers ranging from -20.00D to +20.00D in 0.50D steps, cylinder powers of -0.75D to -5.75D in 0.50D steps and add powers of +1.00D to +4.00D in 0.50D steps. These lenses also come in two base curves: 8.4mm and 8.8mm.
Made of omafilcon A, the high water content of the lenses provides a more comfortable wearing experience, the company says. They are intended for monthly replacement and are available in six-lens packs. Call 1-800-341-2020, or go to www.coopervision.com.
Low Vision
Consumer Kit
Living Better at Home: A Guide for People with Vision Loss, by Lighthouse International, is a kit for patients with declining quality of vision. This kit includes tips on how to care for your eyes and information on various ocular conditions, treatments, vision rehabilitation and home-adaptation strategies.
Some tips for maintaining quality of life at home include:
Use flexible-arm lamps to focus light directly on the task at hand.
Mark frequently-used settings on appliances with bright nail polish or touch dots.
Arrange clothing by outfit or color, or use large-print labels.
Call (212) 821-9567, or go to www.lighthouse.org/livingbetter.
Dry Eye
Hydrating System
The Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating System, by Eye Eco, is a system of goggles and gel pad inserts designed to stimulate tear production and reduce evaporation rates of natural tears.
The Tranquileyes foam goggles may be worn alone or with Thermoeyes gel inserts, which generate heat for up to 60 minutes. The Thermoeyes pads may be reused.
The goggles may be worn overnight, but only when the gel inserts are not being used. Call 1-888-730-7999, or go to www.eyeeco.com.
Exam Equipment
Strip Organizer
The Strip Caddie, by Gulden Ophthalmics, is divided into sections so that you can store lissamine green strips, rose bengal strips, fluorescein strips or even cotton swabs. Made of clear acrylic, the caddie has four sections of varying height so you can easily see what you have stored in it.
Call 1-800-659-2250, or go to www.guldenophthalmics.com.
Practice Management
Bilingual Education Course
The free 20-minute course, Dispensing to Your Hispanic Patients, is offered by Transitions Optical, Inc., in either print or DVD format. It offers advice on communication with patients of different lingual or cultural backgrounds. It teaches these concepts in both English and Spanish.
You may first learn the lessons in the language you are most comfortable with, and then learn them in the other language. The course includes language lessons for basic greetings, presenting eyewear and other applications. Call 1-800-848-1506, or go to www.transitions.com.
Online Ordering
The VisionWeb network has now expanded to include the Carl Zeiss Vision Labs. Now, eye-care practitioners may order prescription lenses from Carl Zeiss through VisionWeb.
VisionWeb offers direct-to-supplier online ordering on its Web site or linked practice management software, insurance transaction processing, practitioner Web site templates and additional information. Call (512) 241-8500, or go to www.visionweb.com.
Alternative Therapy
Electromagnetic Therapy
The ActiPatch facial mask, by BioElectronics Corporation and distributed by Barron Medical, delivers pulsed electromagnetic therapy to the periocular area to reduce pain and swelling after procedures, such as blepharoplasty. It is powered by an embedded battery-operated microchip.
For Barron Medical, call 1-877-570-4152. For BioElectronics Corporation, call 1-866-757-2284, or go to www.bioelectronicscorp.com.
Patient Education
Educational Animations
Animated educational content is now available for the iPort Media Network thanks to an alliance with EyeMotion, which provides multimedia technology for practitioner Web sites and reception area displays.
The iPort network is a narrowcast that presents educational and informative programs to patients in the reception area. Practitioners can select programs that they wish to display in their practice.
For iPort, call (312) 440-6000, or go to www.iport media.com. For EyeMotion, call 1-800-676-9076, or go to www.eyemotion.com.
CLC Web Site
The Contact Lens Council (CLC) has launched a new Web site that educates patients about innovations in contact lenses, proper lens care regimens and responsible lens wear.
The site includes information on:
The history of contact lenses.
The three steps of proper lens carecleaning, rinsing and disinfectingand which systems work best for different patients.
The advancements in the contact lens field, such as wavefront contact lenses.
Go to www.mycontactlenses.org.
