Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

OCT is the most detailed way to analyze the retina for conditions including macular degeneration, optic nerve health including Glaucoma, retinal tears, tumours, etc. The Edworthy Vision Centre were the first Optometrists in Canada to have an OCT. Dr. Edworthy has lectured professionally on the use of the OCT.

Optos Wide Field Retinal Imaging

The Optos imaging equipment uses diagnostic lasers to create a single panoramic image of the interior of the eye to provide a field of view of up to 200 degrees. This captures the majority of the retina and greatly adds to the diagnostic accuracy of the internal health of the eye. By documenting this view, it also allows us to look for subtle changes to eye health over time.

Eye Pressure (IOP)

We do not use the "Air Puff" tonometer to measure the pressure in the eye anymore. We have pretty much all the other methods - Goldman, Tonopen, etc, but the main one we use these days is the iCare tomometer. It is the least bothersome for the patient - no numbing drops, or orange dye, or air puff. It is accurate and objective, and patients love it!

Dry Eye Testing

Dry eyes are a very common and frustrating condition which is caused by a multitude of factors. One of the more common significant causes is Meibomian Gland Disease (MGD). The meibomian glands are found in the eyelid and produce an oily lipid layer to the tears which helps regulate the evaporation of the tears. We have a Lipiview imaging device which allows us to clearly view these glands, assess their condition, and recommend appropriate therapy. We also have tear osmolarity instruments and other ways of assessing dry eye status.

Computerized Refractors

Refractors, or "Phoropters" as they are technically known, are the lens devices that look like a giant pair of glasses that are put in front of your eyes during the focusing refractive tests. The vast majority of clinics still use the manual phoropters that have been in use since the 1950's. The Edworthy Vision Centre has been using computerized phoropters since 1994. Our newest Nidek 5100 systems allow a vast array of refracting, eye mobility and specialized vision testing. This makes the testing process easier and less stressful for the patient, and we'd like to think that makes the results more accurate.

Corneal Imaging

The cornea is the transparent dome lens at the front of the eye. It is the delicate part of the eye that contact lenses sit on, that Laser surgery reshapes, that injuries can easily scar, and that any number of degenerative conditions can affect. We have corneal topographers to accurately measure the curvature, ultrasound pachymeters to measure corneal thickness, and cross sectional OCT imaging to assess the condition of the cornea.

Visual Field Testing (Peripheral Vision)

Conditions which effect the optic nerve system impact our perpheral vision in specific ways. Everything from glaucoma, to pituitary gland tumours, to strokes, to multiple sclerosis and many other conditions can impact it. Computerized Visual Field Testing allows us to quantify the peripheral vision and to more accurately diagnose, and follow the stability or progression of these conditions.

Common Optometric Equipment

Of course we have the normal eye care equipment too, such as slit lamp microscopes to look at the front of the eyes, Ophthalmoscopes to look inside the eyes, colour vision testing, lensometers to check the accuracy of glasses, etc.