Technology
Medicine is ever progressing. The way we can view the eye and detect the early levels of diagnostic changes now – is nothing less than miraculous. We can test pupillary functions at speeds to the millisecond, retinal thicknesses to the micron and observe, microscopically, to such levels as to see red blood cells tumbling in the arteries. Our progressive approach to examination leads the profession in enhanced neuro-electrical testing, imaging and functional evaluation. At Advanced Clinical Eye Care of Maine we strive to bring you the best instrumentation to allow our talented doctors to evaluate and diagnose at levels unobtainable by conventional methods.
Our doctors and staff train constantly. We attend lectures and seminars, wet labs and technical instruction to learn all that we are able so we may bring this knowledge to you the second it becomes available. Yet, we recognize the high costs of health care and therefore have some of the lowest fees in the area to allow our patients access to this high tech care that allows us to provide the best eye care possible.
RAPDX
Pupillary reaction time, amplitude and symmetry are a key diagnostic tool. This testing has been traditionally subjective, and limited. This new technology quantifies the speed and relative strength of the light that passes from each eye to the brain and back. With this test we can screen for such things as: Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, Autism, optic neuritis, optic nerve tumors, retinal infection and even glaucoma.
Optical Coherence Tomography
Optical Coherence Tomography is a device that uses light waves to create images of the inside of the eye, much like an ultrasound uses sound waves to image the inside of the body. This allows the doctor to analyze each and every layer of the eye in cross section and in layers like a topographical map. With this information we can quantify the thickness of tissues and their overall heath. This is now essential equipment in a complete retinal evaluation for disorders such as; tears, fluid leakage, tumors, and macular degeneration. This test is becoming the gold standard in diagnosis of Glaucoma.
Anterior Segment Imaging
The front chamber of the eye is the section from the front of the lens forward and includes the Iris, pupil and cornea. This new imaging technology allows us to view areas otherwise hidden behind the iris and unseen by standard microscopy. This imaging allows us to follow and monitor; corneal issues, iris cysts and tumors, evaluate the drainage of fluid in glaucoma, and integrity of the eye in post-operative cataract surgery.
Intraocluar Pressure Measurement with Hysteresis
Traditional measurement of intraocular pressure consisted of pushing on the eye with a probe or puff of air to measure the actual pressure inside the eye. We now know that pressure does not tell the whole story and one part of that is how the eye tolerates that pressure. Hysteresis is a new way to look at the ability of the eye to disperse the pressure and gives the doctor data to determine if a patient is more or less likely to develop loss of sight from the pressure. Although we still use air to accomplish this, this test is not your parent’s generation of test.
Corneal topography
This is a non-invasive method to map the cornea much like a topographical map in order to evaluate the surface and monitor changes in the surface. This device makes it possible to follow things like; corneal transplants, scarring, surface disease, and keratoconus. This technology also allows for the precise fitting of contact lenses, especially over compromised surface and in high refractive errors and astigmatism.
Frequency Doubling Field Testing
This equipment allows us to evaluate the integrity of both the retina and the optic nerves by testing the threshold of light the system can perceive and react to. It is more specific in allowing the separation of the different layers of the pathways than convention field testing alone. This testing is a first step in screening for glaucoma and in diabetic patients for retinopathy.
Optos
The Optos imaging system is an ultra-wide field imaging system that can view and capture images of the retina like nothing else in its class. This device allows the doctor, to not only analyze the health and structure of these tissues, but enables them to display and show the patient their own images to better help them understand their specific condition.
Lipiscan
Many dry eye patients suffer from decreased secretions from the Meibomian glands. These glands are embedded in the upper and lower lids of each eye. The secretions from these glands, creates the oily outer layer of the tears and helps hold the tear up and helps prevent evaporation. The Lipiscan is a revolutionary new tool to image this glans and aids the doctor in assessing the viability of these glands. It is a critical tool in the diagnosis and treatment of Dry Eye disease.
Lipiflow
The Lipiflow pulsation device is used to treat Meibomian gland dysfunction. The device heats the glands from the inside of the eyelid while simultaneously stimulating the glands with a pulsating pressure. This device has been shown to increase patient comfort and improve gland function. The device has demonstrated relief in many patients for up to 18 months, post treatment.
