instrumental strategies
Liven Up Your Acuity Routine
Technology brings freshness, accuracy and ease
to vision testing.
BETH
A. WORKMAN, O.D.
With
all the new technology available, it seems optometrists often overlook computer-based
visual acuity systems when considering equipment to improve our practices. However,
we perform visual acuities on everyone and refractions occupy a large portion of
the time we spend with patients. Any purchase that will make this process easier
and more accurate is money well-spent.
I was the stereotypical hard sell. I saw no
need to change a system that worked for 25 years. However, a company representative
persuaded me to try the Stimuli Acuity system on a trial basis. Six years later,
I can't imagine being without it. It makes testing more efficient and reliable by
preventing the patient from memorizing the chart. It has also sparked a new enthusiasm
for me in examining patients. I didn't recognize how tired I was of hearing patients
read the same lines. And patients are confident that they're really seeing the letters
and not just remembering what they've read before.
 |
|
Stimuli
Acuity System |
DIMENSIONS:
17" X 16.5" X 7"
TESTS: Charts include a multi-line,
graduated, single-line with moveable pointer, single-column charts with isolation,
red/green filter, astigmatic dial with controllable indicator, sizable 4-dot, low
contrast sensitivity, fixation test on black or white screen; video capability for
fixation and education.Includes an Apple iMac computer.
|
Custom testing
Developed by Accommodata Corp. and marketed by
Haag-Streit, the Stimuli Acuity System includes an Apple iMac computer with built-in,
two-inch deep, flat-panel monitor, software and a remote control. The system offers
choices for pediatric and adult optotypes and display options.
There's no stopping to change a slide,
just press a button. You can present optotypes in standard Snellen or logMAR progressions.
Display features include crowding bars, isolation and an on-screen pointer. The
extra lines (20/125, 20/160, 20/250, 20/320) and the ability to change the letters
instead of just presenting a large "E" allow more precision in measuring decreased
acuity. You can program selected portions of the chart into memory for quick access.
The system also features cartoons and video support for patient education.
No-fuss set up and operation
The companies will program the system to your
specifications and calibrate it to your refraction distance. You can place the flat-panel
monitor on a shelf or mount it directly on the wall. It requires no wires to hook-up.
Simply plug it in and begin to use it. You can use it in mirror rooms as well as
for indirect viewing.
The
only maintenance the system has required so far was a change of batteries in the
small, lightweight remote, which is designed for one-hand operation. It leaves my
other hand free for additional tests. I recently obtained a second unit for
another exam room. The new unit's features include a faster CPU,
glow-in-the-dark remote, low-contrast testing and expanded help screens. A pure
digital signal to the monitor guarantees highest resolution.
If easily
increasing accuracy and efficiency are important to you, consider purchasing the
Stimuli. You won't be disappointed.
DR. WORKMAN IS
IN IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN LORAIN, OHIO. SHE IS
ALSO A MEMBER OF THE OHIO STATE BOARD OF OPTOMETRY.
CONTACT HER AT (440) 282-6669.
Optometric Management, Issue: November 2006