Equipment

The phoropter, used for a technique called ‘refraction’, allows us to determine a person’s eyeglass and/or contact lens prescription.

A visual fields test can detect defects in a person’s field of view, which may be caused by various ocular and neurological conditions.

A topographer is a non-invasive technique for mapping the surface curvature of the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil. This information is important in the determination of quality of vision, corneal health, and fitting of contact lenses.

Binocular Indirect Opthalmoscopes are used to inspect the retina, the sensory layer at the back of the eye. This technique allows a large area of the retina to be viewed at a comfortable working distance. Typically the eyes are dilated prior to performing this technique. Please be prepared for your eyes to be light sensitive for a few hours after the exam if dilating drops are used.

This instrument allows the doctor to microscopically examine areas both at the front and inside of the eye for abnormalities or problems. During your exam drops may be placed in your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils. After 15-20 minutes, the slit-lamp examination is then repeated using another small lens held close to the eye, so the back of the eye can be examined in greater detail.

In addition to controlling the amount of light that enters the eye, the pupil and its response to light provides a useful diagnostic tool. It allows for testing the integrity of the sensory and motor functions of the eye.

Eye coordination and eye movements are assessed to identify the presence of a binocular vision dysfunction. Treatments can include vision therapy exercises and use of specialty spectacle lenses.

The visual acuity test is used to determine the smallest letters you can read on a standardized chart (Snellen chart) held 20 feet away. So what does 20/20 mean? If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.

Digital photography provides us immediate information concerning abnormalities in the eye, allowing for earlier detection of slowly progressing disease. It is a great tool for education about your eye’s health and during your exam you will have the opportunity to see the inside of your eye, a truly unique experience.

This binocular test can be used for the detection of amblyopia, strabismus and suppression, and for assessing stereoacuity.

Colour is often used as an aid in teaching students in school and children who have difficulties distinguishing colours may be misdiagnosed as having a learning difficulty. Additionally, some occupations demand good colour discrimination and identification of existing deficiencies can help guide future career planning.

This machine is used a fast and effective test for visual field loss. Amongst other things, this test offers a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of early glaucomatous damage, and other disorders ranging from ocular, retinal, neurological and neuro-opthalmological causes.

For our patients that are unable to get into the “air puff” machine, we have a handheld measure for eye pressures. One of many ways we have improved the accessibility of our office to allow thorough eye exams for our disabled patients.

Better known as the “air puff test”, this machine measures the the fluid pressure in the eye. This is one of the many tools we use to screen for eye diseases such as glaucoma.

This is an automated machine that measures the power and shape of the eye. It is used in the determination of glasses prescriptions and the proper fitting of contact lenses.

During your eye exam we will use the lensometer to measure the prescription of your current glasses. With this information, we can detect how much change has occurred to your prescription and if the purchase of a new pair of glasses is warranted.