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Sightrisk at Optrafair
Small and touchy: Bill Harvey finds a theme among the many instruments displayed by suppliers at Optrafair 2011
There was a smattering of new products among the familiar at this year's Optrafair. New developments appear to be following a move to miniaturisation or the incorporation of touch-screen interactivity.
Imaging
The Haag-Streit UK stand was busy with people trying out the fully automated DRS camera which we reviewed recently (Optician 10.03.11). Most seemed impressed by the simplicity of the touch screen and one-touch operation.
There was much excitement at the Birmingham Optical Group stand over the launch of the new Nidek camera which was unveiled for the very first time at this year's show. The AFC-330 (Figure 1) has a touch-screen interface, is fully autofocusing, and can easily transfer data from its internal hard drive to other software. I loved the ease with which it can be set to take a sequence of images around the retina and then automatically combine them into a mosaic. The instrument can also take high quality anterior images.
For those who prefer to take anterior images at their slit lamp, the Oculus Image-Cam 2 was also on display at the Birmingham Optical stand (Figure 2). This may easily be fitted into most slit lamps where the beam splitter might be and takes high resolution anterior images easily.
Zeiss instruments was demonstrating the adapted software for its cameras allowing a blue light exposure to measure the macular pigment levels of a patient - a useful advance we covered in Optician 01.04.11.
The rise of the touch screen interface continues relentlessly and I noticed that Topcon's latest OCT incarnation now includes this. It is incredibly easy to take accurate readings using the 3D-2000 HD OCT via touch-screen and the units now incorporate a ganglion cell layer analysis program as well as other innovations such as a drusen counter.
Haag-Streit UK was boasting the new autofluorescence facility for the Spectralis OCT, while Carleton Optical demonstrated the Copernicus OCT, popular in the US, and Grafton Optical showed off the very optometrist-friendly i-vue OCT (reviewed in Optician 11.03,11).
Perhaps most unusual among the imaging instruments was a tiny camera from Volk that is currently being distributed by Mainline Optical. The Pictor is about the size of a small hair dryer and weighs just 400g, yet can take images for a 5 megapixel sensor and has video capability too. It may be fed directly into any USB input and may prove a boon for domiciliary and specialist clinics. Watch this space for a more detailed review soon.
Test charts and software
Computers have revolutionised the way we present targets to our patients. There was still a place at the show for more traditional style 'hardware'. Sussex Vision unveiled the latest in its free-standing logMAR 4 metre charts which allow different chart 'sheets' to be interchanged (Figure 3). A very colourful display of paediatric test targets and related apparatus was on show at the Kay Pictures stand where its springy animals (Figure 4) were a hit for those wanting a fixation target capable of maintaining attention for long enough to take meaningful measurements. This would not be needed were you using the PlusOptix vision screener we recently reviewed (Optician 25.03,11) and displayed on the Carleton Optical stand.
Thomson Software Solutions boasted an impressive stand this year, staffed by some familiar faces from City University. The quality and versatility of its displays are now well established and can now be exploited on iPhones and iPads (Figure 5). The latter makes, for example, the recording of an Amsler plot easy and storable as well as allowing the presentation of an array of different near test types. There was also much interest in its new Test Chart XPert 3D. This uses new 3D technology to enhance a barrage of tests for fixation disparity, stereopsis, aniseikonia as well as Avatar-style images to impress and interest the bored patient.
Integration of data is helping practices to develop and aids clinical data interpretation. Zeiss recently launched its Forum software (Optician 11.03.11), very much in evidence on its stand. Topcon unveiled the i-Clarity practice management software. System developer Rob Ward (Figure 6) was on hand to explain how the system not only allows integration of data outputs from different instruments, but also provides a complete paperless solution to records and practice management. A powerful tool indeed.
Graham O'Regan was displaying the various Chicken and Egg software systems from Bondeye Optical, the company now charged with distribution of his wares. Chicken and Egg has come up with a variety of simple and portable test charts, field screeners and testing programs ideal for domiciliary use.
O'Regan is also instrumental in the development of the Sightrisk macular degeneration risk calculator. This software allows the input of various data, such as age, smoking habits, diet, genetic profile if known, and calculates the potential risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for a given age.
I, apparently, have a 22 per cent risk of AMD by the age of 70, which could suggest that my veganism might be counteracting the fact that I am a smoker. Even if you were sceptical of the figures, the program makes a useful focal point to discuss issues with the patient, especially as it is now, you guessed it, available as an iPad download (Figure 7).
Tonometry
Grafton Optical made no bones about its distribution of the new design of EasyTon disposable tonometer prism. We have followed this closely in Optician and I feel the now opaque sides, combined with a very smooth contact surface, provide excellent accuracy in a disposable. Nearby, the stand also boasted the Reichert 7-CR which combines non-contact applanation with a corneal response analysis allowing adaptation of the IOP measurement for variations in corneal structure.
Haag Streit UK unveiled the latest Perkins, the Mark III (Figure 8). It now includes LED light sources and a new grip design makes changing of disposable prisms easier. Haag Streit's digital Goldmann also seemed popular. The instrument includes a colour indicator that shows when the correct applanation force is being applied, making it ideal for beginners to the technique.
Keeler was shifting significant numbers of its version of the Goldmann, the KAT, and making play of its position as a 'UK manufacturer focusing on home-grown devices.'
Mainline displayed the i-Care PRO, an updated version of the i-care rebound tonometer. It now has an improved digital interface (via USB) and storage capacity, along with the self ONE unit which allows patients to monitor their own IOP over a period of time, making phasing a thing within our grasp. Optician will be reviewing both these innovations in the coming weeks.