Digital Imaging - how will it help you?

Hi !*FIRSTNAME*!, For the last few years we have had the ability to take digital photos of the back of your eye. We now have new equipment which allows digital imaging and analysis of many more structures within the eye. These instruments improve our ability to diagnose and monitor eye disease. This combination of new technologies means we can now offer a compete and detailed imaging of your eye. You are always welcome to have copies of any digital images we take during an exam, so please ask if you would like this.

Tony and Paula (Optometrists) Visit highburyeye.co.nz/technology to keep up with the technology we are using in the practice.

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OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)

This is our newest device which uses an infra-red laser to scan various structures within the eye.

A bit like an ultrasound, it can scan deeper into the eye tissues than we can normally see. This allows us to view to a microscopic level within or beneath the surface of a structure.

It is most useful when looking for macular degeneration where fluid can sometimes accumulate beneath the surface of the retina.

Also in cases of glaucoma the OCT can be used to detect and monitor the progression of damage within the optic nerve.

Having an OCT image of an eye problem helps us to guide you onto the best and most timely treatment options.

OCT is used for Macular degeneration Macular hole or membrane Glaucoma risk assessment Vitreous floaters Diabetic retinopathy Optic nerve disease

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Anterior Segment photos

With the addition of a digital SLR camera to our standard microscope, we are now able to photograph the front parts of the eye under extremely high magnification.

Capturing images of lesions such as freckles and scars helps us to make comparisons in the future to tell if these lesions are changing.

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Digital Corneal Topography

This device produces 3D digital maps of the cornea (the outer most lens of the eye).

This greatly enhances our ability to accurately fit all types of contact lenses so that we can better match the shape of the contact lens to the eye. Now we can even create virtual contact lenses for your eyes allowing us to test a design before ordering it. It is also used to monitor change to the corneal shape and for the diagnosis of corneal disease such as Keratoconus, which is common in New Zealand.

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Digital Retinal Photos

For the last 5 years we have been taking retinal photos as part of every routine eye examination.

These images provide a highly detailed view of the main parts of the retina (back of the eye).

These images have proved invaluable on many occasions allowing us to detect and monitor lesions such as freckles and moles on the retina, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes.