New Technology at Ellis & Thompson
Here at Ellis & Thompson, we are continually investing in state-of-the-art equipment, including the Heidelberg Spectralis 4D OCT Eye Scanner, Gold standard Humphreys Visual Field Analyser and Corneal Topography.
Generally only seen in the finest eye hospitals around the world as well as, intergalactically on the International Space Station; this incredible technology is now available to all our patients.
Heidelberg Spectralis 4D OCT (A CT Scan For The Back Of Your Eyes)
With the new addition of 4D HD imaging technology, we are now able to identify and monitor the smallest change and that changes everything. The SPECTRALIS 4D HD, uses a patented eye-tracking system that produces 3- dimensional images of the eye, allowing us to more easily identify those at risk of eye disease.
Unlike a 3D OCT, the Heidelberg SPECTRALIS tracking system allows the scan to be placed in exactly the same place on every visit, giving a true 4D view of change over time. This helps reveal eye disease which may not yet be noticeable or detectable with a traditional visual exam.
Upgraded Anterior Segment Heidelberg Spectralis 4D OCT (A CT Scan For The Front Of Your Eyes)
OCT scans usually focus on scanning the \layers of the back of the eye, however, the upgrade to our SPECTRALIS OCT now allows us to scan the layers of the front of the eye. This sets a new gold standard in glaucoma and corneal disease investigation.
Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (Eye Pressure Test)
Goldmann Applanation Tonometry is considered to be the Gold Standard method of measuring the pressure inside your eyes (the intraocular pressure or IOP). This method indirectly measures the pressure by gauging how much force it takes to flatten the cornea. Just like pressing the surface of a balloon; if there is a small amount of air inside and it feels soft, there is a low pressure within the balloon. But if the balloon is hard and full of air, it takes more force to flatten the balloon, meaning there is high pressure within the balloon.
Conventional opticians measure your intraocular pressure by using what’s called a non-contact tonometer or Puff of Air test. This is a machine that you sit in front of and a puff of air is then forced onto the surface of the eye. This is usually performed by an unqualified optical assistant, who has only been trained to operate the machine and who normally does not understand the results.
Humphrey Visual Field Analyser (Measures your central and peripheral vision)
The Humphrey Visual Field Analyser is the gold standard in visual field assessments and identifies early glaucomatous loss and neurological field loss in conditions such as stroke and other brain injuries.
A visual field analysis measures your central and peripheral vision which shows us how wide an area your eye can see. It is a very important diagnostic tool in evaluating patients with various eye conditions such as Glaucoma.
Corneal Pachymetry (An Ultrasound For Your Cornea)
Corneal Pachymetry, the technique of measuring corneal thickness, is a quick and painless test involving an ultrasound scan of the front and back corneal surfaces to obtain a corneal thickness reading. As the intraocular pressures measured during tonometry are dependent upon the thickness of the cornea, Pachymetry provides invaluable information in the management of suspect glaucoma patients. For example, a thicker cornea may mean less reason to worry about Glaucoma as patient’s with thicker corneas may show a higher pressure reading than actually exists. Corneal Pachymetry is performed on all patients attending a full Glaucoma Assessment.
Corneal Topography (A 3D Map Of The Front Of Your Eye)
The cornea is the very front surface of the eye which determines the majority of the eye's prescription, and it is the surface on which a contact lens is fitted. With more complex prescriptions, it is extremely important that the contact lens is stable and aligned with the natural curvature of the cornea in order to produce the optimum fit and vision.
A corneal topographer creates a 3D contour map of the corneal surface so that the shape of the entire cornea can be viewed and analysed. In addition to contact lens fitting, topography can also be used to diagnose certain eye conditions, such as keratoconus.
Tear Film Analysis
Have you ever wondered why your eyes are watery, gritty, red or sore? Well, these are actually all symptoms of dry eye. Tear Film Analysis is vital in diagnosing the type of dry eye you have, why you have it and what can be done to manage it.